Inuit of the Arctic

What do you know about the Inuit? Let’s do a pair/share brainstorm:

The Inuit of the Arctic Territory: Northern Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut) Alaska, Greenland *Traditionally near or around the coast

The Climate of the Arctic The land of “ice and snow” and tundra (no vegetation) Little or no trees Little rain or precipitation (some parts considered desert) Temperature is cool, cold, and freezing cold!

Clothing – Keeping warm in the Arctic Caribou skin Seal skin

Food – Subsistence in the Arctic Inuit that lived inland ate: Caribou Musk-ox Bear Fish Inuit that lived on the coast ate: Seal Birds Walrus Whales

Transportation - Land Winter – dog sled Summer – walking

Transportation - Water * Umiak (many people) * Kayak (one person)

Skin Tents Housing Igloo

Inuit Society Based on hunting groups and trading partnerships. Patrilineal organization (family traced through the father). Elders directed behaviour and formed the governing council. Belief that people should behave properly in order to exist with nature. Illness or misfortune was a sign from nature that people were not acting properly. (Taboo)

Masks

Inukshuk The inukshuk is used as: a navigational aid a marker for hunting grounds a hidden supply of food or supplies in hunting to attract geese and caribou and as a way to mark sacred (holy – spiritually important) ground.