Animals

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Title: Owl and the Raven
Artist: Ashevak, Annago
Date: 1995

Title: Loon's Descent
Artist: Kingwatsiak, Iyola
Date: 1992

Title: The Solitary Arluk
Artist: Pudlat, Aoudla
Date: 1993
Title: Weasel
Artist: Ipeelee, Osuitok
Date: 1958

Title: Umingmuk
Artist: Pudlat, Pudlo
Date: 1970

Title: A Meal of Char
Artist: Etidlooie, Kingmeata
Date: 1980
Title: Spirit of the Owl
Artist: Ashevak, Kenojuak
Date: 1980

Title: Three Caribous
Artist: Niviaksiak
Date: 1957

Title: Walrus Perch
Artist: Saggiatok, Kakulu
Date: 2003

For over one thousand years, Inuit have lived off the Arctic’s rich natural bounty of marine mammals, fish, an array of land animals and birds. In earlier times, families lived on the land in snow igloos and skin tents, moving with the seasons to hunt seals, walrus, whales, caribou, geese, and musk-oxen. These animals provided nourishing food, skin for clothing, lamp oil and most of the raw materials from which tools, games and goods were made. Other animals, all uniquely adapted to live above the treeline, were vitally important to Inuit too: polar bears, foxes, wolves, hares, wolverine, ground squirrels, weasels, lemmings, fishes and clams. Unsurprisingly, animals are frequently depicted in Cape Dorset prints, and evoke the longstanding bond between Inuit and their natural world.