The Inuit are the group of native people who live in the Arctic region of Canada. The term Inuit means ‘people’. They were originally known as ‘Eskimos’, a term coined by the Europeans, which is now considered derogatory as it means ‘raw meat eaters’. The Inuit, whose population is around 50,485 people, make up to of 4% of the total Canadian Aboriginal population. Labrador, Ungava, Iglunik, Baffin Island, Netsilik, Copper, Caribou and Western Arctic Inuit are the 8 chief tribal groups of Inuit.
All the Canadian Inuit speak one language, Inuktitut, although there are 6 types of dialects spoken among the various tribes.
The Inuit inhabit the region known as Inuit Nunangat which consists of the territory Nunavut (homeland), Canadian Arctic and subarctic, northern third of Quebec known as Nunavik (place to live), the coastal regions of Labrador known as Nunatsiavut (beautiful land) and some parts of Northwestern Territories.
Inuit are supposed to be the descendants of the Thule culture, which originated in Alaska, and then spread east towards Arctic, around 1050 AD. They were traditionally nomads who hunted and gathered food. Although some Inuit still live like nomads, most of them have developed and actively participate in administration, business, politics, medical, civil services and other fields. But along with the development, the Inuit still follow many traditions with mythology, dance, music, art, storytelling and other beliefs occupying an important place in their day-to-day life.
Many Inuit have also become role models and gained a lot of popularity for their participance in politics, arts, movies, music and sports. Abe Opkik, Kiviaq, Shiela Watt-Cloutier, Nellie Cournoyea are some of the notable Inuks in the political field; while Peter Pitseolak (photographer & artist), Kenojuak Ashevak (artist), Zacharias Kunuk (producer/director), Annabella Piugattuk (singer), Lucie Idlout (rock singer), Jordin Tootoo (ice hockey player) are some of the Inuks who have gained popularity in other fields.
The Inuit were the most ignored Aboriginal group and were never subject to the Indian Act. A court decision ruled in 1939 that they, too, were government responsibility. Even today many Inuit communities lack proper living conditions and healthcare facilities. Low income, unemployment, lack of proper housing, etc. are some of the major problems faced by the Inuit.
But in spite of all these difficulties, the Inuit do not break way and leave their communities. For the Inuit, family and community hold the most important place in their lives.
