Vera Vasilyevna Rozhina is a keeper of Yukaghir culture, master of folk arts and crafts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and an honoured resident of Ust-Yansky ulus (district). She was born in the Yukaghir village of Ust-Yansky ulus, located on the shore of the Laptev Sea. Vera Vasilievna is Yukaghir by nationality. She finished primary school in Yukaghir and continued her studies at school in the village of Kazachye. After studying she entered the Yakutsk Republican Culture and Education College, specialising in theatre group management, in Yakutsk. She has worked in the sphere of culture for 17 years. In addition, she has work experience in the village council, administration and agriculture.

   Vera Vasilyevna has been living in Ust-Yansky ulus with her husband Mikhail Petrovich for 52 years. They have three children: a son and two daughters. The son lives in Ust-Yansky ulus, is the head of the community, is engaged in fishing, and is also the father of four children. The daughters also have their own families, work in their speciality and live in Yakutsk.

   Vera Vasilyevna's father is a Yukaghir from Nizhnekolymsk, her grandfather and his brother are Yukaghirs who settled in Ust-Yansky ulus. Vera Vasilievna's grandmother was also of Yukaghir origin, coming from Allaihovsky ulus.

   Vera Vasilyevna has been awarded various diplomas and encouragements from the state for her active work towards her native culture. She notes that she wants to fulfil her father's dream by contacting relatives and Yukaghirs from Nizhnekolymsky ulus.

   Her father was a true northerner. He helped his men transport food by dogsled between the villages of Yukaghir and Kazachye (the direct distance between the villages is 180 kilometres) across the Laptev Sea. To reach his destination, he navigated by the stars at night.

   One of the treasured memories with her father for Vera Vasilyevna is when he showed her the northern lights. With enthusiasm he used to tell her: ‘Look, daughter, it is our ancestors who have built their fires and are dancing.’ Now contemplating the northern lights is not without those memories. In memory of her father and grandmother, Vera Vasilyevna supports Yukaghir culture and endeavours to raise public awareness of the Yukaghirs.