Map One - Regional Approach

Arctic

The Arctic region's winter includes eight months with heavy snows and frozen seas. The climate is dominated by arctic air. The soil remains permafrost year-round. In the north, the terrain is a rock desert plateau, supported by highlands and mountainous areas. The brief summer season on the southern tundra thaws to reveal shrubs in valleys and wetlands, and trees flourish in sheltered areas.

The Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic From Ancient Times to 1902

Shifts in Paleo-Eskimo populations, subsistence patterns, and technology occurred in relation to major climatic changes. For example, the Dorset societies were better adapted to a warmer climatic lifeway. When conditions became colder during the 1000 B.C.E to 1 C.E. period, evidence exists that the Thule culture gradually replaced the Dorset. Thule migration is linked to this period because they are associated with ice hunting technology. By 1000 C.E., the Thule occupied most of Arctic Canada, having settled from Alaska to Greenland. At the time of European contact, the Igloolik, Baffin, Sadlemiut, Hudson Bay, Netsilik, Mackenzie, Caribou, and Copper were the bands that occupied the Arctic region.

The Thule people constructed winter camp dwellings from blocks of snow and ice, providing shelter for one, two, or perhaps three extended families. The snow house or igloo was a series of rooms connected by passageways. A central fire and animal hides insulated the dwelling against the harsh cold winter. Summer coastal camp dwellings were constructed from whalebone and wood, which was covered with whale baleen and sod. As the hunting technology developed, the amount of food gathered increased. The seasonal occupation sites became larger and more permanent. Overland transportation between seasonal camps utilised sleds constructed from animal bones and hides. Domesticated dogs were harnessed to the sled and pulled up to sixty-six kilograms of supplies.

Arctic region cultures adapted to the dense seasonal concentrations of food sources with nomadic hunting practices and food storage technology. The caribou hunt was fundamental to the diet of the Arctic region peoples. The autumn caribou migration provided food for the winter season. The summer season hunt focused on coastal animals and vegetation. Birds, seal, walrus, fish, walrus, beluga, and narwhale were hunted from coastal tent camps. During the winter season the primary food sources were preserved summer supplies supplemented by coastal hunting of seals, walrus, and bears on sea ice. Whale and seal oil was utilised in food preparation and food storage. The oil also provided fuel for soapstone lamps, which were vital during the eight months of little or no sunlight.

Sophisticated hunting technology was developed and perfected over the 4,000 years of habitation in the Arctic region. Ice hunting technology developed so as to produce sharp and narrow projectile points, possibly as a result of the thick, tough hides mammals had to survive in the Arctic region. As well, devices were fashioned to create more thrust power when lances were thrown and arrows released from their bows. An example of such a device is the toggled harpoon or 'atlatl', which was operated as a hinge that provided a stronger thrust. The Dorset culture was the first to eliminate drilled, circular holes in tools and weapons. Instead, they laboriously gouged grooves onto bone shafts. Inuit bows were made from bone and had a double curved sinew-laced design to gain more thrust. Arctic char was harvested by kayak, with a lance, or with the use of willowbrush and stone weirs. Ocean fishing and hunting was accomplished by the development of advanced watercraft designed for sea travel. Kayaks and umiaks were manufactured from sewn sealskin. Inuit technology is also associated with float harpoons whereby an inflated sealskin bag was attached to the harpoon head, which prevented the animal from diving. The hunters can then spear and kill the animal

Lost Vision, Forgotten Dreams: Life and Art of an Ancient Arctic People