Reuniting with their reindeer

The Ewenki's way of life had already undergone a seismic shift in 2003, when they gave up hunting to become the permanent guardians of the environment. While the government provided modern housing, healthcare and schools in Olguya town, the reindeer remained in the highlands. People were able to choose whether to live in the mountains or in the lowlands.

In 2016, Youta chose the peaks. "My parents were aging, and after getting married and pregnant, I wanted to focus on family. Another important reason was that I had realized the unique value of my culture," she said. Her employer in Mohe was deeply interested in her Ewenki roots, making her realize that her "ordinary" upbringing was actually a cultural treasure.

"I was born and raised in the mountains, living there until it was time to start school. During school vacations, I would return to the mountains with the elders. That's how I grew up," she said.

In 2016, she began working with her father raising reindeer and focused on learning and preserving the local culture.