Information Sheet Inuit

Inuit - indigenous peoples of the far northern regions

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History and Presence

The ancestors of the Inuit immigrated presumably 3000 to 2500 BC from the Asian region via the Bering Strait to Alaska and subsequently to Greenland. Following this first immigration an influx of migrants was denoted frequently, at last around 1000 AD. Although migration occurred in times of favourable climatic conditions Inuit people are outstandingly capable to acclimatise to colder periods. This is based on the fact the Inuit are hunters and only depend on sufficient amounts of prey but not on the supply of agricultural goods. Therefore their nomadic way of life was determined by the migration of their prey. In times of adequate supply they resided in permanent settlements and developed new technologies and strategies.
For a long time contact of Inuit and white people took place in a fairly sporadic manner and had just minor cultural impact. Besides the whalers the missionary work, e.g. that of the "Herrnhuter" from Saxony, had effects on the Inuit and their culture only in certain regions. In contrast interest and trading activities of the "Hudson Bay Company" at the beginning of the 20th century influenced the Inuit culture strongly by trading modern goods, e.g. rifles and tents, for furs and establishing enduring commercial relationships.
Since 1940 the Inuit culture is subject to sustained changes. On the one hand the presence of American military in Greenland resulted in novel and foreign influences, on the other hand e.g. Canada attended to its Arctic territories much more intensive. Hence, traditional hunting equipment and means of transportation were replaced by modern vehicles, at the same time the population was turned away from life in seasonal camps and convinced to settle down permanently. Furthermore, traditional merchandise, most notably fur and whale meat became less important caused by the introduction of strict catch quota. Since the late 1950s the trade with art is substituting. Nowadays particularly tourism becomes more important as a source of income. In this field Inuit serve as guides for sledge dog and hunting expeditions.


Inuit Circumpolar Conference and Nunavut

The Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) and the agreement to separate the Canadian territory Nunavut can be regarded as milestones on the way to allow for political influence of Inuit people and to preserve their culture.
The ICC was founded as a lobby of Inuit in Canada, Greenland, Chukchi Peninsula (Russia) and Alaska in 1977. The organisation unites Inuit people of different territories and intends to:

• strengthen bonds among Inuit of the circumpolar region
  
• promote Inuit rights and interests on an international level
  
• develop and encourage long-term strategies to conserve the Arctic environment
  
• aim at tight and energetic partnership in the political, economic, and social development of circumpolar regions.

Taking place every four years the General Assembly plays a key role in ICC work. During the conference delegates will elect a new chairman, establish political guidelines and decide on activities and organisation for the coming term. Additionally the meeting serves to exchange information, as a discussion forum, and to strengthen the relationships of Inuit belonging to diverse ethnic groups.
The foundation of the territory Nunavut ("Our land") in north Canada on April 1st 1999 represents a second fundamental event in Inuit history. Nunavut underlies an Inuit government and comprises approximately one fifth of the total Canadian territory with 1.9 million square kilometres. With a population of 29.500 the population density lies in the range of one person per 70 square kilometres. Besides an autonomous and lasting economical development the Nunavut government mainly attends to protection of the Inuit culture.


Effects of Climate Change

An increasing threat is seen in the progressive global warming and its impact on the Inuit anthroposphere. Melting of Arctic ice and permafrost soil lead to concerns about serious changes of the fauna. Inuit people assume that this will result in disadvantages affecting their natural resources. Thus, many Inuit consider atmospheric pollution by emission of greenhouse gases and especially US climate politics as an abuse of human rights.