Abstract: This article explores the federal and regional mechanisms aimed at legal support of indigenous minorities of the North. The relevance of this topic is substantiated by the isolated living of indigenous people and multiple unresolved issues associated with preservation of ethnic peculiarities, including the questions of legal regulation of their activities. The goal of the work lies in assessment of the legal support mechanisms for indigenous peoples of the North as the government assistance to the development of traditional economy, and prevention of criminal behavior among this population group. The authors conclude that the applied mechanisms for maintenance and preservation of cultural heritage of indigenous minorities of the North are somewhat tentative, carry signs of formalism, and testify to the incomprehensive study of the problem, including from the perspective of criminal law. There is a likelihood of ethnic separatism among the indigenous population. Based on the detected problems, the authors formulate recommendations on improving the existing mechanisms of legal support of indigenous peoples, as well as suggest the new legal solutions.