The indigenous peoples of the north in the mirror of regional periodicals in the 1990s - early 2000s (based on materials from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

The paper analyzes the potential of the periodicals as a historical source for the study of state policy in relation to the indigenous peoples of the North. In particular, the experience of the development and application of qualitative thematic content analysis of the republican newspaper “Yakutia” for the period from 1991 to 2000 is shown. Such a study using a continuous sample on such a long time interval has not been performed. Three chronological groups of publications have been identified, which can be correlated with the stages of regional policy towards indigenous peoples in the 1990s. The main features of each period are revealed. It is emphasized that the use of this method in historical research not only systematizes the sources, but also draws the attention of researchers to some patterns that require further explanation.