Inuit+Adaptive+Strategies

There are several climate-related changes experienced by the Sachs Harbor community that are relatively recent. These changes could have been dangerous to the community, except for the fact that The Inuit way of life and the flexibility of the seasonal cycles allows for the absorption of these affects. The biggest adaptive changes made by the Inuit peoples were changes that related to their activity patterns. This involved changing where and when hunting and fishing occurred. Rather than attempting to stick to the same patterns of hunting the Inuit have evolved to match the changing environmental conditions. This strategy of waiting has allowed the Inuit people to adapt to the new warmer environment and shorter winters that have risen in recent years. In modern years this adaption can be seen in the open water seal hunting, as opposed to hunting seals in the ice floes, and using all-terrain type vehicles rather than those made specifically for snow because of recent permafrost melting.  The less recent adaptive strategies revolve around cultural practices. This included a very flexible idea of what a group was. Rather than firmly sticking to a group that was too small or too big for an area, the Inuit were open to change as long as it benefited their lives. There is great oral tradition in the Inuit way of life. Stories and teachings are passed on through generations by word of mouth alone. This gives the Inuit and effective “group memory.” This group memory is essentially the collective knowledge that was deemed important enough to be passed on. Because it is passed on orally it is subject to change, but in a community where adaptation is key this is actually a factor that helps promote adapting to new threats or environmental changes.  **-Intercommunity cooperation** Perhaps one of the most overlooked adaptive strategies was the willingness to work together. When food or material is scarce in one area, the ability to trade with another group greatly diminishes the possibility of death or harm because of the lack of these resources. While many groups spend time harming each other, the Inuit adapted to a point where they were either helping or ignoring each other. In as dangerous and as unforgiving an environment as they lived in, it is important to group survival.
 * __Waiting __**
 * __Cultural Practices __**
 *  -Storytelling **

