The Evenks live in Siberia, in the east side of the Jenisei River. There are approximately 28 000 Evenks. The autonomic Evenkiysky District is sparsely inhabited taiga. There are no roads and reindeer and helicopters are used as means of transport. Connections to the rest of the world are poor and the climate is harsh, especially in the winter; in December and January the temperature can be 50 degrees below zero. The primary sources of livelihood are reindeer management, hunting and fishing. The Evenks are nomands, who wander along with the reindeer. “Taiga Nomads” portrays the life of the Evenks in the last year of the Soviet administration.

The children of the reindeer breeders are taken to nurseries and schools for the winter. From their second year on the children will spend the long winter season away from their parents. What happens when they learn the Russian language and are socialized to the general Russian culture?