Sea mammal hunting and fishing remains the main occupation of the Qaanaaq area although it is becoming increasingly difficult for hunters to make ends meet. This is partly due to the US and EEC’s government ban on import of seal skins which has led to collapse in the market price, and also, the high cost of imported items that the Inughuit need. Like in most other Inuit communities, the hunters in the Qaanaaq district have evolved their own seasonal cycle. Seals are their main prey and are hunted throughout the year. Walrus are caught mainly during the spring and autumn when they migrate along the coast. Polar bears are normally hunted in February March, both in Smith Sound and Melville Bay. They also hunt Arctic hares, ptarmigan and trap foxes. During the brief Arctic summer, the Inughuit hunt Narwhals and white whales. They also catch fish, Greenland halibut in the winter, and arctic char, polar cod and sculpins during the summer. During the spring and summer they also catch Little Auks (Dovkies) and a variety of other sea birds.

Language

The Inughuit speak ‘Inuktun,’ a dialect of the Inuit language ‘Inuktitut’ that is spoken around the Arctic from the north of Alaska to Greenland. Most Inughuit also speak Danish which they are taught in school.

Food

The traditional Inughuit diet consists mainly of sea mammals and fat. Seal is the staple food, but they also eat polar bear, walrus, and whale meat and skin, as well as migratory sea birds in the summer. Fish like Greenland Halibut and Arctic Char also form part of their diet. Their main delicacies are mattaq (whale skin) and Kiviat (fermented little auks). Nowadays there is an increasing amount of Danish foods available in the shops, but traditional food still remains very popular.

Transport

In the Qaanaaq district the dog sled still retains its role as the main form of winter transport as hunting from snowmobiles is banned. During the summer the kayak is also in still in common use here. Local hunting regulations dictate that Narwhals which are hunted in Inglefield Bay during the spring/summer must be caught in a traditional way using kayaks and hand thrown harpoons. The community is serviced by helicopters and small aircraft.

Religion

In common with other Inuit communities around the Arctic, the Inughuit traditionally had animist beliefs in which all living things have a spirit. They believed that the whole universe was in harmony and the powers of nature had a neutral disposition towards man. When evil things happened, e.g. bad hunting or sickness, it was likely to be the result of a person’s bad behaviour. Gods and spirits controlled nature, and the Inughuit not only had to behave correctly, but also interpret the mysterious ways of the spirits and deities in order to survive. This interpretation and communication with the spirits was normally carried out by an Angaqoq (Shaman). Although some of the traditional beliefs linger on, nowadays most Inughuit are Christian and follow the Danish Lutheran faith.

Clothing