Inuit
There are four Inuit regions in Canada, collectively known as Inuit Nunangat. The term “Inuit Nunangat” is a Canadian Inuit term that includes land, water, and ice. Inuit consider the land, water, and ice, of our homeland to be integral to culture and way of life.
ITK-Map-20190118-digital-rgb.pdf"Inuit Nunangat is the Inuit homeland in Canada, encompassing the land claims regions of Nunavut, Nunavik in Northern Quebec, Nunatsiavut in Northern Labrador and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories. It is inclusive of land, water and ice, and describes an area encompassing 35 percent of Canada’s landmass and 50 percent of its coastline. " Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (https://www.itk.ca/inuit-nunangat-map/)
Inuit: Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
English
French
Original_place_names_Inuit_place_names_LR.pdfInuit History, Culture, and Language
Learn about Inuit, their history and culture, language and so much more!
Books
Inuksuk: Sharing Experiences of Nunavut: An Interactive EBook
This interactive eBook provides readers the opportunity to explore aspects of Inuit culture including geography, culture, history, government, and activism. It is based on several learning excursions made by students and staff of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board, located in Southern Ontario, as they met with Inuit teachers, guides and elders to gain first-hand experience of life in Nunavut. Interactive elements include video clips, panoramic and 3D images, sound bites of the Inuktitut language and syllabic script, and quizzes to engage student inquiry. The respectful dialogue and partnership between northern and southern communities documented here signals an act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. It is a powerful tool for raising awareness about Inuit culture and Canada's most northerly communities to spark the interest and respect of all readers, from K-12 students to their teachers.
Inuksuk - Ptarmigan
A clip about the official bird of Nunavut, Ptarmigan, from the interactive e-book "Inuksuk: Sharing Experiences of Nunavut"
Inuksuk - Ulu
A clip about the traditional multi-purpose tool, the Ulu, from the interactive e-book "Inuksuk: Sharing Experiences of Nunavut"
Connection to Story
The Walrus and the Caribou: Inuit Traditional Creation Story
"When the earth was new, words had the power to breathe life into the world. But when creating animals from breath, sometimes one does not get everything right on the first try!
Based on a traditional Inuit story passed forward orally for generations in the South Baffin region of Nunavut, this book shares with young readers the origin of the caribou and the walrus — and tells of how very different these animals looked when they were first conceived. (From Inhabit Media)" (CBC Books)
The Owl and the Lemming
The Owl and the Lemming: An Inuit Tale (National Film Board)
Hibou et le lemming” (French): An Inuit Tale (National Film Board)
Watch a puppet theatre of the traditional Inuit tale of “the Owl and the Lemming”.
Reflection Questions:
- What lessons does the lemming learn?
The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat. Inuit stories are often instructive and, with this tale, children quickly learn the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided.
Can you think of any other morality tales you may know? Consider stories such as Aesop’s Fables, the Monkey King, the Gingerbread Man, Anansi the Spider, the Three Billy Goats Gruff or the Three Little Pigs.
- How is The Owl and the Lemming similar to the story you know? How is it different?
- Discuss the ways the lemming tried to outwit the owl.
- Read another story and compare/contrast.
The Owl and the Raven
A traditional Inuit story explaining how the snowy owl and the raven are the colours they are today.
Reflection Questions:
- What are the important qualities of a friend? What makes you a good friend?
- How did Raven’s feathers turn jet-black? What did Owl have to do with it? How do you react when you get frustrated or when a friend is not listening to you?
- Both Raven and Owl are changed for life. How do you deal with changes in your life?
Learn about Eva’s journey as you listen to the story, “The Very Last First Time”.
Reflection Questions:
- How do Eva and her family depend on the environment?
- Think about a way you or someone in your family uses the environment. How does this help improve your or your family member’s life?
Qalupalik
Kamik an Inuit Puppy Story
Analyzing multiple stories:
What elements of the stories are the same and what elements are different?
Can you find and name the traditional Inuit items and clothing in the short films? (qulliq, or traditional oil lamp, ulu, or women’s knife, kamik, or Inuit mukluks or soft boot, qilaut, or Inuit drum, caribou fur or pelts, soapstone carvings, dog sled whip) Why are these traditional Inuit items important?
Are there any stories that you can think of, that remind you of the importance of friendship?
Michael Kusugak grew up in Repulse Bay, NWT (now Nunavut). During his childhood, his family travelled by dog sled, living a traditional Inuit lifestyle. He is the author of twelve children's books, including: The Littlest Sled Dog, The Curse of the Shaman, T is for Territories, Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails, winner of the Ruth Schwartz Award; Hide and Seek; My Arctic 1, 2, 3; and Baseball Bats for Christmas; and was co-writer of A Promise Is a Promise (with Robert Munsch). Michael Kusugak lives in Sooke BC, and spends most summers in his cabin in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Michael is listed on the National Speakers Bureau. Click here read his full bio and learn more about Michael…
Keeping the Inuit Way of Life Alive in a Changing World | National Geographic Short Film Showcase
In this short film, we learn about the Inuit way of life, as Derrick Pottle talks about his knowledge as an Inuit hunter, carver and guide. He shares his perspective on keeping tradition alive in a changing world.
Junior and Intermediate Discussion Prompts:
Thinking about the Land:
Why is the Land important to you and your family? Why do you think that the Land is so important to Inuit teachings and way of life?
Thinking about the Climate:
Why is climate change a problem in the North? How does climate change affect the Inuit way of life? How does climate impact humans and animals in the region you live in?
Thinking about Sharing Traditional Knowledge:
Why is it important to pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation of Inuit? What are the consequences of not passing on this knowledge?
Three Thousand, a short film by Inuk artist Asinnajaq
Intermediate and Senior Discussion Prompts:
In the video we see images from 1920 to present. In the video, what evidence of change can you identify?
What do you think are the main driving forces of change in Inuit communities? What impact has change had on Inuit communities? How do you think Inuit feel about these changes?
What is Asinnajaq’s message in her video?
How is climate change impacting local Indigenous communities? Is it the same or different from Inuit communities?
The Secret Life of the North
(Secret Life of Canada Podcast)
This podcast series examines Canadian history that we never learned in school, and things we may need to unlearn. In this episode, Secret Life of the North, the hosts discuss the history and stories of the North, such as the forced relocation of the Inuit, the Eskimo Identification System, and the impacts of colonization.
Videos
Angry Inuk (Trailer)
Into the Arctic Film
Into the Arctic Film Trilogy
On August 23, 2010, the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper declared that the protection of Canada's sovereignty over its northern regions was its number one and "non-negotiable priority" in Arctic policy. "Arctic sovereignty" which strikes a chord that resonates powerfully today is not a new issue. In 1953 the Canadian Government fearing a USA occupation of the Canadian Artic relocated seven Inuit families from Northern Quebec to the High Artic to stake out its territory. The families were dumped on barren land in the middle of winter with only tents, oil lamps and wooden crates to keep warm. Thirty years later, the federal government finally provided assistance to the exiles,enabling them to return to their ancestral home in Northern Quebec.
Music
Susan Aglukark
Susan Aglukark, an Inuk artist, singer, songwriter who has won 3 Juno and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement. For Susan, art has played a significant role in her healing journey and in the re-writing of her narrative, she believes it plays an important role for indigenous youth who are dealing with contemporary identity issues today. “Our children and youth are strong and resilient, they still believe very strongly in their culture, in Inuit or Indigenous culture, and they are still fighting every day to find their place.”
Throat Singing
A video featuring two Inuit youth throat singing “The Love Song.”
Inuit Drumming and Dancing
PIQSIQ
"Kayley Inuksuk Mackay and Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik are Inuit style throat singers performing ancient traditional songs and new compositions."
Language
Inuktut is the Inuit language as it is spoken in Nunavut. The Government of Nunavut slected the term Inuktut to represent all of the Inuit dialects spoken in Nunavut, including Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. In this way Inuktut is recognized as a single language.
Is there a Canadian culture? Is there an Inuit culture? An Inuktitut word for "way of life" is inuusiq. Based on the word for person, inuk, it means something like "the way of being a person."
Art
McMichael_AnimalsAtHome_StepByStep.pdfDiscover Inuit Art - Information Sheet - Kids Stop 1.pdfCritical Thinking
The Secret Life of the North Podcast
Nunavut has the largest landmass out of all the provinces and territories in Canada - and yet, it is an area that many of us know the least about. In this episode, we look at the forced relocation of the Inuit, the Eskimo Identification System, and the dog slaughter perpetuated by the Canadian government.
This podcast series examines Canadian history that we never learned in school, and things we may need to unlearn. In this episode, Secret Life of the North, the hosts discuss the history and stories of the North, such as the forced relocation of the Inuit, the Eskimo Identification System, and the impacts of colonization.