Innuifts, The People

This isthe Eskimo nume for themselves. They are an indomitable people fac-
ing hardships with equanimity, the pleasures of life as a child. Theirs is an un-
ceasing struggle for food and shelter. Their lives as semi-nomadic hunters have
sharpened their keen sense of observation. This is no-where shown more clearly
than in their carvings. It is said the Eskimo ‘lives to hunt' and ‘hunts to live’,

how true this is. The Eskimo requires 200 caribou a year to provide his family
with food, fuel, tents, rugs, bedding and clothing.

The Canadian government, understandably, is very interested in the conser-
vation of the caribou, and in recent years has taken precautionary measures to
prevent their extinction. The number of musk-ox is now greatly reduced and it
has been fdund necessary to declare a continued closed season in an attempt to
preserve the species from total extinction.

In his search for foodthe Eskimo relies solely upon his dogs, the sturdy husky
of the north-lands. 'Mans best friend’, truly so for the Eskimo. The husky likes
to work, and loves to fight. They can pack a weight of 30 lbs. in the summer.
In the winter , depending upon how they are hitched, they can haul a weight of be-
tween 150-200 lbs. per dog for thirty or more miles. They are fed once a day,
after the days run, with about 3 lbs. of meat or fish and a lump of fat.

Mileage to an Eskimo is two sleeps away, about 70-80 miles of fair weather
travelling. The Eskimo life expectancy is short due to the dangers of ahunter's
life, malnutrition and epidemics that sweep the Arctic regions periodically.

The Eskimo believes it is polite to smile when speaking, and to show rude
anger is undignified. It is thought the Eskimo originated from the Asiatic con-
tinent. There are over 10,000 Eskimo in Canada.