In Memory of Evgeny Yushkov
Evgeny Yushkov, Tråante 2017
The Saami Council received the message of the passing of our colleague, Evgeny (Zheya) Yushkov, with great sorrow. Our colleague, our friend, through many years, was abruptly torn away from this world, and our thoughts and care are, first and foremost, with those left behind, his wife Viktoria, his children, Katya and Áilu (Oleg) and the family.
Zhenya’s calm and approachable being, his warm and good mood, his sense of humour created friendships with other Sámi people from the White Sea in the North-East, to Elgå in the South-West of Sápmi. In the Russian side, there are hardly any Sámi individuals who did not know Zhenya, and in the Nordic side, most of those ever engaged in pan-Sámi cooperation, knew him or knew who he was. The language man, who came in contact with everyone, because he mastered many of the languages used in Sápmi. He himself was always cautious to promote political opinions, although he has participated in, and interpreted, countless political meetings. Still, there was never any doubt that Sámi language, the Sámi community in the Russian side and the Sámi cooperation had a special place in his heart.
“Sápmi is poorer without Evgeny Yushkov. He has been a significant pillar and a catalyst for the Sámi cooperation across the state borders, and across the language barriers that still prevent us from direct communication.”
Evgeny studied North Sámi language in Kárášjohka and Guovdageaidnu, and he interpreted Sámi meetings and larger events through out 25 years since then. He was one out of very few able to interpret directly between North Sámi and Russian, and he had built such a competence that he could organize other interpreters and ensure communication regardless of the practical conditions. Not only did he interpret at Sámi meetings, but also larger international meetings of indigenous peoples, and he was a priceless capacity for the communication between the Sámi people and other indigenous peoples. He has also contributed greatly to strenghtening the contact between the Sámi people in the Russian and the Nordic side of Sápmi, through his work in the Saami Council, the Barents Cooperation and for several other Sámi organizations and institutions.
Sápmi is poorer without Evgeny Yushkov. He has been a significant pillar and a catalyst for the Sámi cooperation across the state borders, and across the language barriers that still prevent us from direct communication. Evgeny leaves a large void, but there is still hope that his burning enthusiasm for languages and communication might inspire others to follow his path.
We shine peace upon his memory.
Christina Henriksen
President of the Saami Council
Our colleague and friend Evgeny Yushkov passed away on November 29, 2020, and a small family in Lovozero – Lujavrr has suddenly and unexpectedly lost their father, grandfather, and husband. The Saami Council wishes to help the family in this difficult time by starting a fundraising campaign where those who want to can contribute to the family and the children's future. All donations will go to the bereaved family in full.
If you want to contribute, you can transfer an optional amount to one of the bank accounts below:
Norway: 4901 16 68894
Sweden: 119 98 70-5 (SE65 9500 0099 6042 1199 8705)
Finland: FI41 1353 3000 0024 23
Russia: 4276 8410 4722 1680