Itelmen

Itelmen refers to an indigenous people of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, and to their language. Traditionally, Itelmen inhabited coastal and lowland areas of Kamchatka and subsisted through fishing, hunting marine mammals, and gathering. They are one of the indigenous peoples of Russia, with communities primarily in Kamchatka Krai, including around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and smaller communities elsewhere in Russia.

The Itelmen language belongs to the Itelmen branch of the Chukotko-Kamchatkan language family. It is endangered, with only a minority of ethnic Itelmen fluent in Itelmen; most speakers are older. Revitalization efforts have included language documentation, teaching programs, and community projects.

Historically, Russian exploration and colonization brought profound cultural and linguistic change. Orthodox Christian influence, disease, and assimilation policies contributed to language shift. Today, Itelmen culture maintains elements of traditional subsistence practices, oral literature, and crafts, while also integrating Russian influences. Active efforts continue to preserve the language and cultural heritage.

In older sources, the Itelmen were sometimes referred to by the exonym Kamchadals; this term is now considered outdated or pejorative by many. The Itelmen situation exemplifies the challenges and revitalization efforts of indigenous languages in Russia.