Preserving Arctic heritage: the world marks International Inuit Day
How the indigenous peoples of the North are coping in the age of climate change.
Women and a child from the Iglulik Inuit community in traditional dress.
Photo: Ansgar Walk / Wikipedia
Every year on 7 November, on the initiative of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), International Inuit Day (Day of the Inuit) is celebrated. The holiday was established in 2006 to mark the birthday of Eben Gropper — a prominent Alaskan community leader and founder of the ICC, who dedicated his life to uniting the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and defending their rights.
The main aim of this day is to highlight the rich cultural heritage, languages and traditions of the Inuit, as well as to draw the international community’s attention to the pressing environmental and social issues faced by the inhabitants of northern regions.
History, settlement and traditional way of life
The Inuit are a group of related indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Greenland (Denmark), Canada, Alaska (USA) and Chukotka. Over the millennia, they have not only managed to survive, but also to build a highly adapted civilisation in the harshest climatic conditions on Earth.
The traditional culture of the Inuit is based on a deep, harmonious connection with nature:
- Conservation and hunting: hunting marine mammals (seals, whales, walruses) and fishing have been the main sources of livelihood for centuries.
- Traditional techniques: making warm clothing from fur and hides (parkas), building snow huts (igloos) whilst hunting, and using kayaks and dog sleds for travel.
- Linguistic heritage: the preservation and promotion of Inuit languages and dialects (in particular Inuktitut), which have a rich oral tradition, folklore and a unique system for describing natural phenomena and snow.
Contemporary challenges: climate change and the protection of rights
Today, the Inuit are on the front line of global climate change. The rapid melting of Arctic ice, changes to wildlife migration routes and the destruction of the coastline are threatening their traditional way of life, food security and the infrastructure of their settlements.
The observance of International Inuit Day serves as a reminder of the need to take into account the knowledge of indigenous peoples (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) when making decisions regarding the protection of the Arctic environment, as well as to guarantee their right to self-determination, the preservation of their cultural identity and sustainable development in today’s world.
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