Inuit of the Arctic

What do you know about the Inuit?

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The Inuit of the ArcticTerritory: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• Bear• Whales• Fish

Transportation - Land• Winter – dog sled• Summer – walking

Transportation - Water* Umiak (many people)

* Kayak (one person)

HousingSkin Tents

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

InukshukThe 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.