The old euphemism that “You can’t stop progress.” is being proven true in Mongolia. In an article on MSNBC.com one reporter blogs about her experience with the “Reindeer People” in Hosvgol Province. After a three day journey comprised of airplane, Russian van and horse back, reporter Adrienne Mong was happy to still see that she still had cell phone service.

The reporter and her crew were en route to a village further north, but had time to stop in Tsagaannuur for a visit and to see their new Tsaatan Community & Visitors Centre (TCVC). The villagers of Tsagaannuur were traditionally a nomadic tribe, relying on their reindeer for the majority of their needs. But recently, several events impacted the tribe in drastic ways. The first was a bacterial infection that dramatically reduced the reindeer herd’s population. The second was the increase in “eco-tourists” coming to the village being led by guides not of their tribe. There was thousands of dollars and euros being spent, but not within the village. Now, thanks to volunteers, the local tribesmen have been trained how to run the TCVC earning a living and the reindeer herd’s size has doubled. Things seem to be looking up for the “Reindeer People”.




To be honest when I first read this article I had mixed feelings. Being Native American I admit to having a tainted view about “helping” native people with progress. But the young woman also mentioned in the article, Morgan Keay, seems to be going about helping the natives in a positive way. So many times in the past, help offered came with a drastic price; the loss of a people’s identity. Time has taught us that entire societies were destroyed by “progress”.

Ms. Keay, however, seems to be truly helping this group of people help themselves. Instead of removing their cultural heritage, they are now celebrating it and profiting from it. Keay set up the nonprofit Itgel Foundation, a group through which she raised the funds to bring in veterinarians and animal experts from both over seas and from the area. They in turn, discovered why the reindeer herds were declining and then taught the Tsagaannuur people how to treat their animals and care for the herd themselves. Now, the herd is preserved for future generations, and the funds will be there to further their education thanks to the cultural center being run by fellow villagers. If change had to come to this tribe, I am glad it came in the form that it did.