Kola Sámi
The integration of the Kola Sámi into the Russian Empire, their adaptation to Russian culture, and their conversion to orthodox Christianity began as early as the 15th century (Kulonen et al. 2005: 261). Nevertheless, despite the longstanding assimilation pressure, the territorial communities of the Saami were able to preserve their social, economic and cultural identity—at least in the central and northern areas—until the end of the 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Saami culture was on the verge of destruction. The tapping of mineral resources and the military armament of the region were connected with an immense influx of manpower from Russia and other republics of the Sovjet Union. The dissolution of the traditional Saami communities—as the result of forced integration of Saami reindeer breeders into large new agricultural co-operatives—and the resettlement of Saami for socio-political, economic and military reasons led to a dispersion of the original speech communities. The former compact Saami settlements and coherent local speech communities were replaced by mixed communities of Saami speaking different local varieties, together with non-Saami (above all Komi and Russians). As a result, within a few decades, the indigenous Saami people became a tiny, scattered minority without any great influence on political decision.
Kildin is currently spoken on the Kola-peninsula in the north-westernmost part of the Russian Federation by no more than 700 people. The language is endangered due to language shift to Russian and is hardly ever spoken in public life any longer. Only elder Saami use their mother tongue in conversation with family members, relatives or friends. Among the younger generation, there is a strong decline in active language competence due to the lack of a vibrant speech community and the lack of social motivations for learning and using Saami.
Kildin is currently spoken on the Kola-peninsula in the north-westernmost part of the Russian Federation by no more than 700 people. The language is endangered due to language shift to Russian and is hardly ever spoken in public life any longer. Only elder Saami use their mother tongue in conversation with family members, relatives or friends. Among the younger generation, there is a strong decline in active language competence due to the lack of a vibrant speech community and the lack of social motivations for learning and using Saami.