Inuit

Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. The Inuit languages are part of the Eskimo-Aleut family. Inuit Sign Language is a critically endangered language isolate used in Nunavut.

History

The ancestors of the Inuit were hunters who migrated from the west, around the Bering Strait, to northern Alaska. They spread eastwards across the Arctic. They displaced the related Dorset culture, the last major Paleo-Eskimo culture. The Inuit were the last major migration to the New World, and the last to spread across the Americas.

Culture

Inuit culture is a reflection of the harsh Arctic environment in which they have survived for centuries. They have a strong artistic tradition, particularly in carving, printmaking, and sewing. They also have a tradition of making kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft.

Language

The Inuit languages are a group of closely related languages spoken by the Inuit people. They are part of the larger Eskimo-Aleut language family and are also related to the Yupik languages.

Health

Inuit health issues are a major concern for Canadian public health officials, as well as for Inuit leaders and communities. The Inuit have higher rates of smoking, alcohol abuse, and suicide than the Canadian average. They also have higher rates of diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

See also

• Eskimo-Aleut languages
• Inuit culture
• Inuit art
• Inuit mythology
• Inuit music
• Inuit cuisine

External links

• Inuit Circumpolar Council - represents the Inuit of Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and Chukotka
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami - national Inuit organization in Canada

Inuit Resources
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