Brief Migration 4000 years History of Canadian Inuit Nations
Little History of Our Inuit People
Siberian in Origin, it is believed that the Inuit once shared a common language with the Aleut people. Some 4,000 years ago prehistoric Paleo-Eskimo camps appeared in the Western Arctic and quickly spread from Siberia to Alaska all the way to Greenland. The Inuit inhabiting Arctic Canada today are descendants of the Thule culture, a civilization with a sophisticated marine based economy, best known for its whaling activities. In their mysterious land, lost in the icy wilderness of endless snow, they have been able to survive for thousands of years because of their ingenuity, skill, bravery and boldness in facing the severe climate... living of fish, seals, whales, walrus, caribou and muskox, and using the skins of animals for clothing and shelter. However, since the 1950's the Inuit's way of life slowly began to change. They now live in wooden houses instead of in tents or igloos; use fabric rather than animal skin for their clothing; and although some still rely on hunting and fishing for their survival, food and other necessities of life are available in most communities. As large distances separate communities, and as there are no roads connecting them, travel can only be accomplished by the traditional dog sled, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicles or airplane. But because of sudden and unpredictable adverse weather conditions, travel is always a hazardous affair.