I would like to introduce my series of photos, called «Uilta the last nomad people of Sakhalin». The series begins my long-time project about people who are disappearing. Uilta (also known as Oroki) are one of the smallest ethnic groups of Russia. Uilta are the most unexplored people. 

Actually, their origins and language is unknown. The language is disappearing. Current population of Uilta is no more than 300 people, all of them living in Sakhalin, most in Val settlement. According to «Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger» 62 people know the native language. My research however indicates the true number is probably less than 10. About 10 Uilta continue to do traditional activity like tundra reindeer breeding.

Negative effects such as beginning of land development by Russia; the occupation of the Japanese; industrial revolution in USSR; withdrawal of land by owners of oil wells changed their culture and their lifestyle. However, despite these challenges not all of Uilta lose interest in their history; their culture and their language.

I would like to consider the life of these mysterious people through my project. I would like to see how these people try to save their uniqueness in modern life.