Central Inuit
Encyclopedia
Central Inuit are the Inuit
of Northern Canada
, their designation determined by geography and their tradition of snowhouses ("igloo
s"), fur clothing, and sled dogs. They are differentiated from Alaska's Iñupiat, Greenland's Kalaallit
, and Russian Inuit. Central Inuit are subdivided into smaller groupings which include the Caribou
, Netsilik
, Copper
, Iglulik, and Baffinland
Inuit.
The Central Inuit conception of the world's structure has gender qualities. Women are connected to the sea, sea mammals, sea tools, and winter. Men are connected with the land, land animals, land tools, and summer. This concept also effects burials based on gender. They do not commonly create images of supernatural powers, preferring instead to make amulet
s using pieces of things including animals.
Central Inuit lived in several types of dwellings. In addition to igloos, they also lived in qarmaq
s.
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
of Northern Canada
Northern Canada
Northern Canada, colloquially the North, is the vast northernmost region of Canada variously defined by geography and politics. Politically, the term refers to the three territories of Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut...
, their designation determined by geography and their tradition of snowhouses ("igloo
Igloo
An igloo or snowhouse is a type of shelter built of snow, originally built by the Inuit....
s"), fur clothing, and sled dogs. They are differentiated from Alaska's Iñupiat, Greenland's Kalaallit
Kalaallit
Kalaallit is the contemporary term in the Kalaallisut language for the indigenous people living in Greenland, also called the Kalaallit Nunaat. The singular term is kalaaleq. The Kalaallit are a part of the Arctic Inuit people. The language spoken by Inuit in Greenland is Kalaallisut.Historically,...
, and Russian Inuit. Central Inuit are subdivided into smaller groupings which include the Caribou
Caribou Inuit
Caribou Inuit, Barren-ground Caribou hunters, are bands of inland Inuit who lived west of Hudson Bay in northern Canada's Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories, now the Kivalliq Region of present-day Nunavut between 61° and 65° N and 90° and 102° W...
, Netsilik
Netsilik Inuit
The Netsilik Inuit live predominantly in the communities of Kugaaruk and Gjoa Haven of the Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut and to a smaller extent in Taloyoak and the north Qikiqtaaluk Region...
, Copper
Copper Inuit
Copper Inuit are a Canadian Inuit group who live north of the tree line, in Nunavut's Kitikmeot Region and the Northwest Territories's Inuvik Region. Most historically lived in the area around Coronation Gulf, on Victoria Island, and southern Banks Island.Their western boundary was Wise Point,...
, Iglulik, and Baffinland
Baffin Island
Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
Inuit.
The Central Inuit conception of the world's structure has gender qualities. Women are connected to the sea, sea mammals, sea tools, and winter. Men are connected with the land, land animals, land tools, and summer. This concept also effects burials based on gender. They do not commonly create images of supernatural powers, preferring instead to make amulet
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
s using pieces of things including animals.
Central Inuit lived in several types of dwellings. In addition to igloos, they also lived in qarmaq
Qarmaq
Qarmaq is an Inuktitut term for a type of inter-seasonal, single-room family dwelling used by Inuit. To the Central Inuit of Northern Canada, it refers to a hybrid of a tent and igloo, or tent and sod house. Depending on the season, the lower portion was constructed of snow blocks or stone, while...
s.