This is a letter from an Inuit woman in which she explains how the Inuit people live in modern times.
Hello Guenter,[...]
You know of course that Inuit nowadays do not hunt with kayaks and dog teams but with motor boats and skidoos and 4 wheelers. Many Inuit also work and are only part time hunters. Almost everyone hunts to some extent though because the food from hunting is preferable to store bought food and everyone wants to keep in touch with the land.
Igloos are still used but only on hunting trips. The rest of the time people live in middle class type of housing. (2 or 3 bedroom frame houses)
As a result of Nunavut many of the younger and middle aged people have become very interested in politics. Some of the older people are a little left out. Most younger people speak both English and Inuktittuk although older people again may speak only Inuktittuk and be left out of many things.
Dog teams are occaisonally used but more for recreation or for tourists who want a dog team ride. To keep a dog team well fed one must be able to hunt full time.
I live in Iqaluit which is the largest community and will be the capital of Nunavut. It has a population of approximately 4000 people. There are 12 communities in the eastern Arctic ranging in size from 300 to 1600 people. There is less work and more hunting in the small communities and people there may be more representative of the culture. There are also a few families who prefer the old style of life and live in small groups (1 or 2 families) outside the communities and except for the use of modern technology lead a fairly traditional existance.
[...]
I could help more too if you had some specific questions.
Yours truly
Jane Tagak
A Map of Nunavut
Water Transportation
Clothing
