Changes

The [[Native American]] people of the Arctic region consist of the Inuit (multiple tribes), Yupik, and Aleut. Explorers from warmer climates called them Eskimos (people who weave snowshoes).<ref>Although the name "Eskimo" is commonly used in Alaska to refer to all Inuit and Yupik people of the world, this name is considered derogatory in many other places because it was given by non-Inuit people and was said to mean "eater of raw meat." Linguists now believe that "Eskimo" is derived from an Ojibwa word meaning "to net snowshoes." However, the people of Canada and Greenland prefer other names. "Inuit," meaning "people," is used in most of Canada. ... Most Alaskans continue to accept the name "Eskimo," particularly because "Inuit" refers only to the Inupiat of northern Alaska, the Inuit of Canada, and the Kalaallit of Greenland [http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/inuitoreskimo.html] </ref>

The [[Native American]] people of the Arctic region consist of the Inuit (multiple tribes), Yupik, and Aleut. Explorers from warmer climates called them Eskimos (people who weave snowshoes).<ref>Although the name "Eskimo" is commonly used in Alaska to refer to all Inuit and Yupik people of the world, this name is considered derogatory in many other places because it was given by non-Inuit people and was said to mean "eater of raw meat." Linguists now believe that "Eskimo" is derived from an Ojibwa word meaning "to net snowshoes." However, the people of Canada and Greenland prefer other names. "Inuit," meaning "people," is used in most of Canada. ... Most Alaskans continue to accept the name "Eskimo," particularly because "Inuit" refers only to the Inupiat of northern Alaska, the Inuit of Canada, and the Kalaallit of Greenland [http://www.uaf.edu/anlc/inuitoreskimo.html]</ref>

The northern peoples are known for their dome-shaped [[igloo]]s (lit. snow house) which use thick blocks ice for insulation as well as structure. They would live in small villages through the long winter and then switch to a [[nomadic]] lifestyle in the short summer.

The northern peoples are known for their dome-shaped [[igloo]]s (lit. snow house) which use thick blocks ice for insulation as well as structure. They would live in small villages through the long winter and then switch to a [[nomadic]] lifestyle in the short summer.

Since they live in a region of [[permafrost]], they do not consume many plants. Their diet primarily consists of fish caught through iceholes and [[seal]]s, [[walrus]]es, or auks caught by [[spear]]hunting. Occasionally they would kill a [[polar bear]] to eat, but as with any bear, the meat is often not worth the danger of the hunt. In the [[whale]] spawning season, they would venture onto the thawed waters and hunt the great animals for their meat and [[blubber]], a natural insulator for their homes and a wax substitute for [[candle]]s.

Since they live in a region of [[permafrost]], they do not consume many plants. Their diet primarily consists of fish caught through iceholes and [[seal]]s, [[walrus]]es, or auks caught by [[spear]]hunting. Occasionally they would kill a [[polar bear]] to eat, but as with any bear, the meat is often not worth the danger of the hunt. In the [[whale]] spawning season, they would venture onto the thawed waters and hunt the great animals for their meat and [[blubber]], a natural insulator for their homes and a wax substitute for [[candle]]s.

:"The traditional Inuit diet is composed predominantly of proteins and fats, with carbohydrates playing an insignificant role."<ref> [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3659/is_199604/ai_n8742656/pg_5 Obesity, central fat patterning, and their metabolic correlates among the Inuit of the Central Canadian Arctic] </ref>

:"The traditional Inuit diet is composed predominantly of proteins and fats, with carbohydrates playing an insignificant role."<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3659/is_199604/ai_n8742656/pg_5 Obesity, central fat patterning, and their metabolic correlates among the Inuit of the Central Canadian Arctic]</ref>

:"Muktuk, the skin of bowhead and other whales, is rich in vitamins A and C and contributes to good health in a population with limited access to fruits and vegetables."<ref> [http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eskimo#Origin_of_the_term_Eskimo Eskimo - New World Encyclopedia] </ref>

:"Muktuk, the skin of bowhead and other whales, is rich in vitamins A and C and contributes to good health in a population with limited access to fruits and vegetables."<ref>[http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eskimo#Origin_of_the_term_Eskimo Eskimo - New World Encyclopedia]</ref>

==Society==

==Society==

They primarily bartered blubber and seal oil for special goods, though wampum currency was a possible alternative payment for commerce.

They primarily bartered blubber and seal oil for special goods, though wampum currency was a possible alternative payment for commerce.

Monogamy is the usual pattern, but both polygyny and polyandry also occur.<ref>http://www.snowwowl.com/peopleinuit5.html</ref>.

Monogamy is the usual pattern, but both polygyny and polyandry also occur.<ref>http://www.snowwowl.com/peopleinuit5.html</ref>  

The funerary ceremony of the Inuit involved the family and close friends of the deceased placing the corpse on a small ice flow or canoe and casting it out to sea.

The funerary ceremony of the Inuit involved the family and close friends of the deceased placing the corpse on a small ice flow or canoe and casting it out to sea.