By 2024, chum keepers may start receiving salaries as they will be included in the professional classification. Reindeer herders' wives who contribute equally to traditional economic activities alongside their husbands will be entitled to pension rights, work experience credits, allowances and more from the government. 'The standards for the profession "mobile dwelling keeper," which is how chum, yurt or yaranga keepers are planned to be classified, have already been developed and submitted to the relevant ministry,' stated Grigory Ledkov, president of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North and senator, in an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta. This initiative will significantly support families of nomadic reindeer herders, hunters and other representatives of indigenous peoples leading traditional lifestyles. In the tundra, women shoulder a myriad of responsibilities that don't yield monetary income but are crucial for family survival. None of these tasks are either easy or simple.

Initially, it should be noted that in traditional societies 'husband' and 'wife' primarily represent social and productive roles, while emotions, love and other romantic aspects are seen as secondary to marriage decisions focused on survival. A keeper must be competent with many reindeer and a substantial dowry; life in the tundra is tough, so survival is everyone's primary concern.

Parents play a crucial role in deciding marriage outcomes. Children can choose their partners independently, but without parental approval, they won't receive a dowry.

Traditions dictate spouses' duties as well. In the tundra, a chum keeper primarily manages household duties and child-rearing. Traditionally, women erect tents, chop wood for fire and water melting, cook food, clean up and sew clothing. Milking reindeer, processing carcasses and preparing hides for making clothing or tent materials are also considered women's work. Reindeer herders start their day at dawn and finish only after all tasks are completed at night. Child-rearing runs concurrently but differs significantly from typical urban upbringing; children are involved in all family activities from an early age. From childhood, young Nenets are integrated into all family production processes. Once capable of walking and performing tasks independently, children playfully assist family members before becoming integral parts of the 'family cooperative' themselves. Children are not seen as separate entities requiring special care but as integral parts of the family unit.

Simultaneously, chum keepers serve as cultural stewards within their communities. Among the Nenets, women are primary custodians of traditional culture, preserving and transmitting it to their children through stories, songs and cultural practices. This cultural role is carried out informally through storytelling, singing, observing traditions rather than through formal education or systematic teaching. Their role in preserving Northern traditional culture is immensely significant. It's also noteworthy that within their communities and homes, chum keepers hold almost absolute authority. Nenets refer to them as 'myad puhutsya,' meaning 'mistress of the hearth' or 'hearth deity.' She traditionally wields considerable influence over family decisions and possesses personal rights and property, including reindeer ownership.  

It's important to recognise that indigenous women in contemporary Russia can choose between traditional tundra living or integrating into urban culture. Chum keepers are not forcibly kept in 'kitchen slavery'; rather, state initiatives aim to support women who choose to live according to their ancestral traditions.

The Federation Council's initiative has deep historical roots. The proposal to register chum keepers as an official profession was first introduced by authorities in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area in 2017 and reiterated by senators in 2022. This year is expected to be decisive for this initiative. Besides direct material gains, registering chum keepers will also yield numerous indirect benefits. For instance, regional authorities will gain precise data to allocate local budgets, such as those for healthcare. Senator Grigory Ledkov pointed out that this would grant tundra women the full spectrum of rights as Russian citizens. He also proposed an initiative to draft a second bill that would establish a new 'nomad' status. This will account for indigenous peoples who aren't part of reindeer herding brigades, hunting enterprises or other organizations and prefer to live independently. 'If the nomadic status is legally recognised, it will allow for the allocation of funds in local budgets to secure their rights, such as setting up mobile polling stations in the tundra,' he emphasised.

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