Iglulik Inuit



-Environment-

Geographic Location 

    The Iglulik Inuit reside within North America. They now permanently inhabit parts of northern Baffin Island, Melville Peninsula, and Northern Southampton Island in the Nunavut territory of Canada.

Climate

    Climate across the Nunavut territory varies slightly between communities, Kugluktuk being the warmest with temperatures ranging from 30°C in the summer down to -15°C - -40°C and the coldest area being Grise Fiord with up to 5°C in the summer and around -50°C in the winter. Rainfall is moderate, with 13.65 millimeters (0.54 inches) of precipitation and 40.56 rainy days (11.11% of the time) annually. Sun exposure can range from 29-40% (1477-2057 hrs/yr) annually.

Population Setting

    The people of Nunavut amount to a population size of 38,780 as of 2019, which can be considered an "urban"population setting. However economic and cultural dependence on farming and harvest could make it considered rural. Resources have always been a struggle for the Iglulik Inuit, however competition has been minimal and their communities are, for the most part, isolated.

Flora & Fauna

    The botany of Nunavut is one that endures long, harsh winters with temperatures dropping way below zero as well as acidic soils which are low in nitrogen. They usually combat these unsavory conditions by crowding themselves together as a means of creating a higher temperature around each other, thus allowing for photosynthesis that would have otherwise been impossible. These plants include Arctic Cotton, Arctic Fireweed, Labrador Tea, Lapland Rosebay, Alpine Bearberries, blueberries, cranberries, crowberries, and the Purple Saxifrage.

Purple Saxifrage
Arctic Cotton

    Animals roaming within the Nunavut territory are notable in their high variety. Iglulik Inuit communities can commonly be met with Arctic and Red Foxes, Polar and Grizzly Bears, Wolverines, and Canadian Lynxes. The waters are populated with Killer Whales, walruses, Greenland sharks, and Harp Seals. Skies are decorated by several birds, including the Snowy owl, Tundra Swan, Peregrine Falcon, Pacific Loon, Canada Goose, and the Bald Eagle.
Tundra Swan 


Arctic Fox

Harp Seal

Environmental Stresses

    During their settlement into the Nunavut territory, the Iglulik Inuit have found themselves combating high environmental stresses consisting mostly of the nearly uninhabitable cold. The body has a higher difficulty maintaining its internal temperature in cold weather and makes use of more energy to try and maintain its warmth. With an environment as cold as Nunavut, however, body temperatures will go abnormally low and cause hypothermia which, for a prolonged time, can result in severe brain fog.  Environmental hazards are also great threats, ranging from earthquakes and floods to blizzards and severe storms. 

-Adaptations-

    Iglulik Inuit culture has seen various changes, the earliest being their shift from a nomadic life to sedentary mobility. This was mostly due to the fact that Europeans never settled in the area despite their common expeditions to hunt whales or trade furs. They were given exclusive rights to the land in the 70s through the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement in 1975. This new sedentary lifestyle introduced them to new technology which they found themselves having to adapt to pretty quickly.
 

Inuit Natives in their kayaks  Circa 1901
    This new technological dependence would prove     itself to be a catalyst in the methods of hunting and harvest among the Iglulik Inuit. In the past, the Inuit heavily relied on hunting as a means of subsistence, creating boats known as kayak to travel through the seas and training their skill in harpoon throwing to hunt mammals. However, Westernization had made it much more difficult to hunt in the way that  conservation groups have set limits on the animals that were once vital to their hunting culture. Subsistence began to consist more on Western wage earning jobs to pay for new technological commodities such as electricity. 
Traditional Amauti (McCord Stewart Museum)
    
An imperative adaptation by the Iglulik Inuit is the use of fur to make warm clothes in order to withstand the unbearably cold weather. Their traditional wear was made up of two skin garment layers, more specifically, caribou skin. Caribou skin has hollow hair follicles containing air pockets that would trap insulating air. The first layer would have fur facing the skin while the second layer had its fur facing outward. This caused any air passing through to be caught by the hairs before being trapped by the follicles. Any remaining cold air would be caught by the inner lining of fur. 


    Physical features pertaining to the Inuit were heavily caused by their prehistoric needs. Their diet was reliant on the animals that lived in the area. This high-fat diet from marine mammals focused on fish oil and omega 3s brought upon metabolic alterations over time. LCL (bad) cholesterol and fasting insulin was notably lowered, reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The same high fat diet has contributed to a 2 centimeter decrease in height. This is due to the fact that growth is in part regulated by a person's fatty acid profile, which had completely shifted due to the constant consumption of omega 3 fatty acids.

- Language and Gender Roles-

    Language

  
 
19th century gospel written in Inuktitut syllabics
The Inuit language is known amongst them as Inuktitut and is externally known as the North Baffin Dialect, its language family stretching from Alaska to Greenland. This language is most notable for being polysynthetic and for its complexity in words and grammar. 
Inuktitut syllabic table
    Its written form would not come until the Inuit came inc contact with European missionaries, who would try to introduce them to Christianity and the Bible. It is consistent of syllabics, a written language originally made in the 1840s for the Cree by James Evans. Inuktitut syllabics use a set of symbols to indicate combinations of consonants and vowels, the symbol indicating the consonant and its rotation the vowel. Specific symbols are given for  vowels not precedent of a consonant while consonants not followed by a vowel are indicated by a smaller version of the original syllabic symbol. 

Gender Roles 

Inuit woman prepares seal skin while carrying her child in 
her Amauti.

    Gender roles between men and women were very simple even before the arrival of European civilization. The men were made to hunt and gather food, furs, and materials for their families while the women were to sew, cook, and take care of their husbands and children. These roles were mainly bases on biology, they determined the men to be stronger and therefore fit for more strenuous activities while women had more sedentary roles fit for their fertility. These roles, however were not rigid and individuals were mostly welcome to engage in labor usually assigned to the opposite sex. 
Westernization would introduce wage labor as a means of subsistence. Women began to get wage jobs and, through this, would start to become not only the caretakers but also the 'breadwinners' of their families. Despite this method of subsistence, the men were still avid hunters. 


    Inuit youth would learn these gender roles  and begin to practice them through their childhood. Upon European introduction of schools and churches, young men learned to take the place of their grandfathers and fathers and begin hunting during their young adulthood as well as taking on a part time or full time job to help out their mothers. Young women were to either stay in school or become caretakers of the home along with their mothers.
    The categorization of gender within the Inuit has mostly been determined by the culture's tools and labors assigned to men and woman, however, Inuit literature points to the existence of a third gender within their culture. Grace Slwooko's "Sivuqam ungipaghaatangi II" tells the story of a "strange man" who acts like a woman. Their brothers complain that he never goes hunting and they cry that they cannot for they are "like a woman." Upon hearing these cries the "Maker of All" impregnates the "strange man' and he gives birth to a son. From this we can see that the 'third gender', as it is known amongst the Inuit, is based on an individual taking on the roles of the opposite sex.

The Blessed Curse

The main character of this story would be accepted into the Inuit culture. They would be assigned the roles of a woman, but would be able to engage in the roles of men as long as it doesn't interfere with their labor at home. 

-Subsistence-

Subsistence Pattern 

The Inuit were originally food foragers, depending on fishing, hunting and gathering wild plant fruit as a way to sustain themselves. Roles were divided by age and gender. The women were assigned to plant-food gathering and fishing to provide food while the men hunted for larger game, such as seals and polar bears. Children were to help around the house, carrying supplies and water. Their diets were strictly high in fat from the marine mammals they hunted including fish, caribou, and wild plant foods such as blueberries and cranberries. This diet is one they eventually adapted to, which explains why they can engage in a fat-dense diet and still remain healthy however other cultures would find it unsustainable as there is a lack of carbohydrates or protein.
Inuit Hunters catching a harp seal

Modern food sources such as groceries would make the Inuit less reliant on hunting and gathering, causing them to deviate from food foraging into a more sedentary, agricultural subsistence pattern. Their diets would also start to become more diverse. Whenever the Inuit did hunt, they now had access to newer technologies such as rifles, making hunt gathering more of a hobby and less of a necessity.

Economic Systems

    Since the Inuit were highly dependent on the wildlife surrounding them for their own subsistence, their food was scarce, meaning that they would only gather enough food to get through. Food surplus was extremely difficult if not impossible to gather.
    Because of this food scarcity, wealth among the Inuit was translated into food accessibility. The Inuit created a system known as "qalimaaq" in which they would share their food resources with the expectation that they would receive food in reciprocity. The Inuit did not have an established currency, but with the introduction of the Canadian dollar in modern times, the Inuit also included money as a part of qalimaaq. This system would give families access to foods and materials that were otherwise unavailable to them such as coats and metals. 
    Eventually this trading system would be abolished in the later years as the Canadian dollar became the main source of currency. Because of these, trading in general was seen as unnecessary

Marriage

Inuit marriages are commonly arranged by parents, commonly at birth. These arrangements were determined what pairing was best for both family. For instance the parents of two families might pair their children if it socially benefits both of them in the eyes of the community. These marriages are almost always monogamous but polygyny is not discouraged. A main factor contributing to the small amount of polygynous marriages is men's inability to economically sustain multiple wives. Marriages usually happened when the man became a productive hunter and the woman had reached puberty. Cousin marriage was not practiced due to incest taboos roaming within the Inuit.
After marriage, Inuit couples would follow a patrilocal residence pattern in which the couple resided with the husbands father. This was not a rigid rule, however. 
Marriage pairings were always heterosexual as homosexuality was also accompanied by its own taboo. Homosexual members of the tribe were forced by their families and the community to withhold their sexuality and acquiesce to a heterosexual marriage to avoid humiliation.

Kinship

The tradition descent pattern of the Inuit is the patrilineal pattern. This is also the basis of the names of Inuit children. For instance, an Inuit boy may be named after his father or great grandfather. A child's name may also be derived from their father's name. This contrasts other cultures which consist of Matrilineal kinship patterns. 
Eskimo kinship chart used by the Iglulik Inuit
The Inuit fall into the Eskimo kinship system, which follows a nuclear family relationship such as the father, mother, uncle, aunt, sibling and cousin titles. The most power is held by the grandparents of the family.  This kinship system differs from the Hawaiian and Iroquois systems. In the Hawaiian system, cousins and siblings share the same titles as well as parents and uncles. The Iroquois system gives the same title to a father and his brother as well as a mother and her sister. A parent's sibling of the opposite sex receives a separate name, 'Mother's brother' for example.

-Social & Political Organization and Violence-

Social Organization



Inuit society is evidently egalitarian, with their shared sense of responsibility and mutual share of resources. The only members of the Iglulik Inuit culture that are more highly respected are the elders, and this is due to their extensive wisdom. Aside from the elderly group leaders are more spokespersons than decision makers as Inuit are not obligated to follow any command given by them. Men and women are considered to be more fit to their assigned roles, but no gender is objectively better in the Inuit eye. 

Political Organization

The Inuit follow a system of self government known as the "Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit" referring to the Inuit "traditional knowledge." This system is one that promotes collective respect and decision making as well as collaboration among the Inuit. Their principles are as follows:
  • ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᑦᓯᐊᕐᓂᖅ - Inuuqatigiitsiarniq 
    Respecting others, relationships and caring for people.
  • ᑐᙵᓇᕐᓂᖅ - Tunnganarniq 
    Fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming and inclusive.
  • ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕐᓂᖅ - Pijitsirniq 
    Serving and providing for family and/or community.
  • ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᓐᓂᖅ - Aajiiqatigiinniq 
    Decision making through discussion and consensus.
  • ᐱᓕᒻᒪᒃᓴᕐᓂᖅ - Pilimmaksarniq 
    Development of skills through observation, mentoring, practice, and effort.
  • ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑎᒌᓐᓂᖅ - Ikajuqtigiinniq 
    Working together for a common cause.
  • ᖃᓄᖅᑑᕐᓂᖅ - Qanuqtuurniq 
    Being innovative and resourceful.
  • ᐊᕙᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᑲᒪᑦᓯᐊᕐᓂᖅ - Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq 
    Respect and care for the land, animals and the environment.
    Political leadership is, again, given to Inuit elders however they only provide wisdom and help the Inuit form collective decisions for the community. 

    The breaking of such laws had its own consequences depending on the severity of the problem. Wrongdoings followed a process of justice and healing. After the first offense, Elders would talk to the person and inform them that what they are doing isn't respectful of inuit principle. The second offense would be met with a more stern warning, outlining possible consequences. After a third offense, it was felt that the person had been warned and is now responsible for any foreseeable consequences. Community members affected by the person would be allowed to seek revenge on them. More severe crimes would result in public humiliation or being left to live alone until they gained appreciation for their community. Murderers were killed only if they didn't show any remorse or could potentially kill again. It was not seen as punishment, however,  but as a necessary means of keeping the community safe.

Violence


Inuit violence is heavily frowned upon, making it extremely rare. There have been, however instances of warfare with the Cree tribe. This is mostly due to Inuit expansion and violence was used as a last-resort method of defense. Another form of violence already mentioned is the execution of murderers which, again, is used as a last-resort defense for the community. In a way, it is a sacrifice of principle to avoid future violence. 


-Religion-

Religion

Sculpture of Sedna, goddess of the Sea
Illustration of Akna, goddess of fertility
  
 Religious belief is polytheistic animistic, reminiscent of Shamanism. It is related to other indigenous religion around the globe, causing them not to have a specific origin story. The main focus of Inuit religion is the universal life force, Inua. Inua is seemed to be comparable to the Christian "God" or the Muslim "Allah" in the way that they are the ultimate creator and protector of the universe. Inuit belief assures that they are aligned to this life force through the land and their ancestry. Other spiritual beings include deities, which bear over many aspects imperative to Inuit culture. Examples include Akna, the mother goddess of fertility, Amarok, the wolf god, Sedna, goddess of the sea, and Malina, goddess of the Sun. Practices and 
ceremonies involving singing, dancing, drumming, and storytelling are performed as a means of honor and communication with the deities and spiritual beings of Inuit religion.
Religion is a vital pillar of Inuit culture, being its basis for their principles, artistic customs, and connectedness to their land and animals to the point that the culture as a whole would not function without it.

-Art-


Inuit printing by Kananginak Pootoogook
Artwork

Manasie Akpaliapik’s "Drum Dancer" (1989)
    Despite the lack of a word for art in Inuktitut, it has played a pivotal role in the Inuit culture, from carvings to printing, they accompany Inuit folklore and often decorate their garments. It is a greatly functional way to communicate Inuit customs such as drumming, as with the "Drum Dancer"(right) as well as a helpful tool for storytelling and teachings.   



Music

Illustration of the Inuit Tautiruut
    Melodic harmonies, carrying potent emotion, bring honor to Inuit ancestry and gratitude to its spirits. It consists of drums, flutes, rattles, melodic vocals and powerful throat singing also known as "Katajjaq." Throat singing consists of two women in close proximity, one providing a beat and the other the melody, it is sung as an imitation of nature. There are various types of songs played by the Inuit which embrace specific emotions. Examples include Pisiit songs (songs of the past), Ayaya songs (personal songs, usually pertaining a feeling of longing), and Iviutiit songs (songs of embarrassment). An example of an Ayaya song sung by an Inuit elder can be seen below. 

This long catalogue of songs allows for a more articulate form of musical expression. 

Performance

Weddings, birthdays, funerals, among other rituals are accompanied by Inuit dancing. These usually come with drumming and music and can also come in variations. Dances include the Drum Dance and the Kiviok dance. They are an additional tool for Inuit storytelling through music.

Religious Art

Carvings of shamans, sculptures of spiritual figures, and printings of animals all come together to make the most important artistic tool of mythology and religious teachings among the Inuit. Meticulously detailed stone and ivory masks play an important role in religious ceremonies and rituals.
 



-Conclusion-

Iglulik Inuit culture has met with various changes in the world around them and has undergone both positive and negative influences by other cultures. 

Western cultures have provided the Inuit with access to technology and other sources of nutrition, allowing them to settle into a more sedentary lifestyle in the Nunavut territorry. At the same time, the same cultures, more specifically European whalers have brought diseases such as tuberculosis to the Inuit, thus decreasing their population size.
Westernization has brought upon a loss of identity within Inuit culture, abolishing their trade systems and deviating their hunting strategies towards wage paying jobs.
    Inuit influence on the modern world is scarce, but their wisdom and artwork remain as remnants of their philosophy and life. 


-Bibliography-

Comments

  1. L RodriguezDecember 8, 2022 at 10:02 AM

    I'm not going into depth on my review here. It is clear you did a lot of work on this assignment so I am primarily going to review for missing topics. I will note anything missing below with deductions indicated.

    Other than a few minor points, very well done.

    Environment (15/15)
    Adaptations (8/10) - Good on cultural. For physical, remember that we are talking about genetic traits. You discuss diet, but don't connect that with how this is a genetic adaptation. A common trait raised here is body shape, namely the shorter, rounder shape which follows the Bergmann & Allen rules. You could also talk about their eye shape which is an adaptation to sun glare off of ice.
    Language (10/10) - I find it interesting that their written language didn't arise until after contact with Western culture but that the written language doesn't really resemble Western alphabets.
    Gender (15/15) - Great discussion here.
    Subsistence (12/12)
    Economy (12/13) - Good discussion, but let's clarify something here with this comment: "Food surplus was extremely difficult if not impossible to gather"

    Yes, difficult, but it was possible, in the form of large hunt successes, such as whale or walrus or seal hunts. Food was distributed to the community and then *surplus* was dried and stored. This was important to have in times of limited food but could also be used for trade for other items.

    Marriage (13/13) - Good.
    Kinship (12/12) - Good.
    Social (10/10)
    Political (10/10) - Excellent. Can women elders be political leaders?
    Violence (5/5)
    Religion (13/13) - Well discussed.
    Art (12/12) - Nice!
    Change (13/13) - Good final discussion.
    Formatting (12/12) - Well presented.

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  2. AaronDecember 8, 2022 at 11:17 PM

    Hi Alice, this was a very detailed and informative description of the Inuit. Something that caught my attention was their tenants/political structure. I didn't read what kind of social structure they have but it seems like they are a collective group. I think their rules and philosophy are something a lot of cultures can adopt and make for a better place. Their diet is also interesting in how it lacks in diversity when it comes to the food they eat. I wonder if they are prone to certain diseases or other health problems because of the nutrients they aren't getting from foods they are unable collect.

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  3. Augusto OrnelasDecember 8, 2022 at 11:37 PM

    Hello Alice I really enjoyed reading your ethnography on the Inuit people. You covered all parts and were very detailed. The Inuit people are very different from the project I did which was the Maasai in Africa. There it is very sunny and they live in a warm environment while the Inuit live in North were there is a ton of snow. It was interesting to learn about how their diets that are high in fat have led to a change in height, making them shorter. Another interesting topic about this culture would be how they have started getting wage paying jobs and it is the women who do them. Since they are not allowed to hunt as much and they likely are suffering from the effects of climate change making it harder for them to forage, they have been forced into modernization. It is sad to see a culture lose some of its distinct properties but in the globalized world today it will probably happen nearly everywhere. They also started using Canadian currency which I find interesting since money is only useful in societies with a modern economy so these people have to travel to a city and buy things and work and then come back to the village. I think you did a great job describing the culture in a concise way, but with a ton of information.

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