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 * __Aspects of Inuit Culture __**

Behaviors: The Inuit people had to adapt to the harsh environment they chose to live in. The tools, clothes, and methods they came up with helped them survive in the arctic. One example of an adaption the the environment is they way they built their homes. The Inuits build houses out of blocks of snow. As the temperatures rise in the summer, they switch to living in tents primarily at a campsite with a few other families. The snow makes it hard for the Inuits to travel so, dog sleds and snowshoes are the only way to get somewhere. Since finding food in the arctic region is a challenge, the Inuits are considered carnivores because of their meat and fish based diets and lack of plant food. They use the fur of the animals they eat to make clothing. This was an early tradition that still continues today.

Languages: The Eskimos speak a language called Inuit. Inuit is part of a larger language called Aleut. There are many different dialects that branch off of Aleut. These dialects have spread across the arctic region. Many people tend to call them Eskimos, but they find the term offensive. Nowadays the Inuits have four official languages. They are Inuit, Aleut, English, and French.

Values: Family is valued very much. A large extended family is often desired. They also find that the land, plants, humans, and animals are all very valuable so they treat them with much respect. They realize that these are not renewable resources so they try to preserve them. They may hunt for their food, but are also very against violence. They are very peaceful people and raising your voice is prohibited. Inuit people also value their holidays. Nalukataq is a popular holiday in Inuit culture. Nalukataq occurs after the spring whaling festival. It is a thanksgiving for success and to ask for good fortune. They also ask for a good hunting season next year.

Beliefs: The Inuit beliefs and practices are based off the stories of aurora. Storytelling, mythology, and dancing are ways that they are able to show these beliefs. Traditional Inuit beliefs are based off of hunted animals. They want to make peace with the hunted animals soul. Common animals were, polar bears, whales and seals. They strongly believe in continuing their traditions even though a new way of life is starting in their community.

Inhabiting Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, The United States, and Russia. In the past, Inuit people ate healthy fruits and vegetables, but as modern Western-style food moves in inuits diet has become more unhealthy. The consumption of foods high in sugar and carbs has resulted in tooth decay and other medical problems.  
 * __Cultural Changes __**

Technology:  The Inuits first started out using and relying on things like animal hide, driftwood, and bones. Some tools were also made out of worked stone, which included things like weapons. Knives were made out of walrus ivory, which could also be used as a weapon. Art was a big part of Inuit history and the same materials that were used to make weapons were also used to make art tools. Now Inuits live just about the same life as everybody else. They are known for their storytelling and dancing. Inuit’s have made new advancement in transportation. Instead of using dog sleds they now use All-terrain snowmobiles to get from place to place.

Commercialization: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inuit people have been approached about commercialization of their caribou. The Inuit accept commercializing their hunted caribou, but only if we use it in the correct way. The Inuit people forbid the caribou to be wasted or used for cosmetic purposes. They will only allow the food to go through meat processing. The Inuit people’s main concern is to not overhunt the caribou. They don’t want to create a demand for the caribou that would put the number of the species at risk. They are just teaching others how to use the caribou culturally appropriate.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Travel: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Due to the invention of air travel, the arctic area the Inuits inhabit has become more populated in recent years. Before it was easily possible to access Inuit land, they mainly lived by themselves meeting the occasional European who would trade for fur or food. When the Cold War began enemy lands were close to the homes of the Inuit people. This forced America to build bases to keep watch on the bordering countries, thus adding to the population of the arctic region. With new jobs being created in the north, people of non-Inuit culture started coming in. To fit their needs the traditional American culture was merging with the Inuit. Many aspects of the Inuit culture were becoming Americanized, but core Inuit beliefs still exist. The Inuits still practice dog sledding and storytelling as a part of daily life.


 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Works Cited __**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Primary Sources: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Inuit Culture." Arctic Inuksuk Authentic. Arctic Inuksuk Authentic, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://arcticinuksuk.com/index.php>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//This source gives information on some of the values the Inuits have. It focuses on mainly how the Inuits give a lot of respect to their environment//.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Irniq, Peter. "Peter Irniq Interview." Interview. n.d.: n. pag. Hood Muesum of Art. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu/av/thinice/irniqaudio.html>. //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This interview was about an Inuit man who went around to world to speak about his culture. He strongly believes in continuing the Inuit traditions and informing people about their customs. //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Print Sources: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jones, J. Sydney. "Inuit." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. Ed. Jeffrey Lehman. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 906-917. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. (Print Source) //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This source gave us information on language and new technology. //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Secondary Sources: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Gardiner, Lisa. "Inuit Culture, Traditions, and History." Windows to the Universe. National Earth Science Teachers Association, 5 June 2007. Web. 28 Aug. 2012 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><__http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/polar/inuit_culture.html>.__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//This sources provides information about the behavioral culture of the Inuits. This website lists traditional Inuit ways of doing things.//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Countries and Their Cultures." Inuit. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2012. <http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Brazil-to-Congo-Republic-of/Inuit.html>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> //This source tells about how globalization is beginning to set in on the Inuit people with fast food restaurants. Also gave certain beliefs about hunted animals//.