SEARCHING FOR A NEW IDENTITY IN A NEW ERA: EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA) AS AN ARCTIC REGION

The Arctic identity is most widely studied in relation with Indigeneity, which is often seen as being threatened by globalization processes. In this paper, the Arctic identity of Sakha (Yakutia) is explored from the regionbuilding perspective, using a constructivist approach to reveal the principal factors that have shaped it. In this regard, my interest is the role of actors of Arctic identity. I argue that the development of Arctic identity has been largely influenced by, though not limited to, the globalization process.