WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CULTURAL CONTINUITY?

At its core, cultural continuity means the persistence of the Inuit way of life and worldviews. This naturally includes activities and values linked with marine hunting, land-based harvesting, fishing, collection of freshwater, and travel and camping on the land. But, as we learned from community members, cultural continuity also involves many physical and “intangible” (or […]

Community members explained to us that the freedom to travel, gather, and camp across Baffin Island is important in its own right, and that these activities an inseparable part fishing, and marine and land-based hunting and harvesting. Inuit from the five communities told us and showed us important places where people congregate and camp, and […]

Hunting and harvesting country foods from the land is not only a central part of Inuit culture, but it continues to be a critical part of food security in the Arctic environment. We heard that although store-bought foods are available, they are often expensive, and considered less and less healthy. Country Food is Key Being […]

Fishing is another important cultural activity of the five communities, this includes catching Arctic char in particular, as well as halibut, trout, cod, salmon, and sculpin. Community members shared with us not only fishing sites, but also places where Arctic char are fermented, dried, and stored, and places where people collect clams. Freshwater is also […]

Community members explained to us that they also harvest many land-based animals and plants, in addition to marine animals. This includes animals like caribou, wolves, foxes, rabbits and hares, weasels, and lemmings, as well as different kinds of birds like snow geese, ptarmigans, eiders, ducks, loons, murres, and bird eggs. Some Inuit also talked about […]

Community members hunt and harvest many different kinds of marine animals, including various kinds of seal (such as ringed, bearded, and harp), narwhal and beluga and bowhead whales, and polar bear. Community members showed us important habitat for these animals, including migration routes, and calving and feeding areas, as well as places important for hunting […]