People of the Arctic

Out of a population of about 4 million, about ten percent is indigenous groups.“Arctic indigenous peoples include for example Saami in circumpolar areas of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Northwest Russia, Nenets, Khanty, Evenk and Chukchi in Russia, Aleut, Yupik and Inuit (Iñupiat) in Alaska, Inuit (Inuvialuit) in Canada and Inuit (Kalaallit) in Greenland.” (Arctic Centre, University of Lapland).

Eskimos

Since the Arctic is made up of such a variety of countries, it is rich in culture and diversity. There are so many indigenous people who live in this Arctic Circle. When most people think of the Arctic they probably think that everyone here is an Eskimo. Even though it is a stereotype, there are Eskimos who live in the Arctic. They can be defined as a “ member of an indigenous people of Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northeastern Siberia, characterized by short, stocky build and light-brown complexion.” (Dictionary.com). Eskimos were known to adapt to freezing temperatures, hunt using harpoons or bows and arrows, wear coats made of caribou fur, use dog sleds as transportation, and live in igloo style homes.

Inuit

Since then, times have changed and modernized greatly. Firstly, they are now called the “Inuit”, which means “the people”.  The Inuit use snowmobiles as a means of transportation, rifles for hunting, live in northern towns and villages, and brought money into the Eskimo “economy”. Many Inuit works extracting oil and gas from rich deposits beneath the permafrost, working in tourism, or conducting research. They live in harmony and live off of their natural world. Hunting and fishing will always remain as an important aspect of life. They hunt seal, caribou, whales, wolves, etc. They use every part of the animal; the meat for food, fur/skin for clothing, bones for tools, and the fat for cooking and lamps. Even today Modern Inuit use hunting techniques to catch their food. Of course, there are stores but it tends to be expensive and unhealthy. Plus hunting can allow modern Inuit to connect with their culture and help connect with their “inner harmony and balance” (Inuit:A Hunting Way of Life).

` Inuit People

Yupik

The Yupik, or “real people”, are another indigenous people located western, southwestern, and southcentral Alaska and the Russian Far East; closely related to the Inuit people. The religion of this tribe was shamanism, believing in harmful and benign spirits. There are certain animals that are sacred and to not be harmed. The economic activity of hunting was similar to that of the Inuit. “Some enterprising Yupik specialized in trade and used their economic advantage to become village chiefs, with such functions as opening and closing the hunting season, helping to mediate quarrels, and deciding the times for trade journeys.” (Encyclopaedia of Britannica, Yupik People).

Yupik People

In the Arctic, I do not believe that there is any real “minority” group. There are tribes that live in the Arctic region, but no one is better than another. There is no mention of conflict between groups. They are peaceful people. Since the Arctic is made up of so much land (and ice) there is plenty of areas to live in solitude. I think the people of the Arctic are all facing the same issue; climate change, affecting homes, communities, and the surrounding animal life.

Citations

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Eskimo.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Eskimo-people.

Heritage Information Network. “Inuit Culture.” Haida Gambling Games, Government of Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, Canadian Heritage Information Network, www.virtualmuseum.ca/edu/ViewLoitLo.do?method=preview&lang=EN&id=10679.

“Arctic Indigenous Peoples.” Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, www.arcticcentre.org/EN/communications/arcticregion/Arctic-Indigenous-Peoples.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Yupik.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 July 2016, www.britannica.com/topic/Yupik.