Diet


 * Inuit have traditionally been hunters and fishers
 * high in protein and very high in fat
 * relationship between animals + humans
 * relationship between body + soul + life + health
 * relationship between seal blood + Inuit blood
 * diet choice as marker of Inuit identity
 * human + animal spirits cycle between spiritual + physical world

Seals
An Inuit hunter skinning a [|ringed seal]    [|Seal] meat is the most important aspect of an Inuit diet and is often the largest part of an Inuit hunter's diet. [|[6]] Depending on the season, Inuit hunt for different types of seal: [|Harp Seal], [|Harbor Seal] , and Bearded Seal. Ringed Seals are hunted all year, while Harp Seals are only available during the summer. [|[7]] Because [|air-breathing] seals need to break through the [|ice] to reach air, they form breathing holes with their claws. Through these, Inuit hunters are able to capture seals. [|[7]] When a hunter arrives at these holes, they set up a seal indicator that alerts the hunter when a seal is coming up for a breath of air. When the seal comes up, the hunter notices movement in the indicator and uses his [|harpoon] to [|capture the seal] in the water. [|[7]] Seals, as [|saltwater] animals, are always considered to be thirsty and therefore are offered a drink of fresh water as it is dying. This is shown as a sign of respect and gratitude toward the seal and its sacrifice. This offering is also done to please the spirit Sedna to ensure food supply. [|[7]]

[ [|edit] ] Walrus
Walrus hunting   [|Walrus] are often hunted during the winter and spring since hunting them in summer is much more dangerous. A walrus is too large to be controlled by one man, so it cannot be hunted alone. [|[7]] In //Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut//, an Inuit elder describes the hunt of a walrus in these words: "When a walrus was sighted, the two hunters would run to get close to it and at a short distance it is necessary to stop when the walrus's head was submerged…the walrus would hear you approach. [They] then tried to get in front of the walrus and it was harpooned while its head was submerged. In the meantime, the other person would drive the harpoon into the ice through the harpoon loop to secure it." [|[7]]

[ [|edit] ] Bowhead whale
As one of the largest animals in the world, the [|bowhead whale] is able to feed an entire community for nearly a year from its meat, [|blubber], and skin. Inuit hunters most often hunt juvenile whales which, compared to adults, are safer to hunt and have tastier skin. Similar to walrus, bowhead whales are captured by harpoon. The hunters use active pursuit to harpoon the whale and follow it during attack. At times, Inuit were known for using a more passive approach when hunting whales. According to John Bennett and Susan Rowley, they would harpoon the whale and instead of pursuing it, would "wait patiently for the winds, currents, and spirits to aid him in bringing the whale to shore." [|[7]] Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), caught in an Inuit subsistence whale hunt in [|Igloolik], [|Nunavut] in 2002  ===  [ [|edit] ] Caribou  === During the majority of the year [|caribou] roam the [|tundra] in small herds, but twice a year large herds of caribou cross the inland regions. Caribou have excellent senses of smell and hearing so that the hunters must be very careful when in pursuit. Often, Inuit hunters set up camp miles away from the caribou crossing and wait until they are in full view to attack. [|[7]] There are many ways in which the caribou can be captured, including spearing, forcing caribou into the river, using blinders, scaring the caribou, and stalking the caribou. When spearing caribou, hunters put the string of the [|spear] in their mouths and the other end they use to gently spear the animal. [|[7]]

[ [|edit] ] Fish
Inuit consume both salt water and [|freshwater] fish including [|sculpin], [|Arctic cod] , [|Arctic char] and [|lake trout]. They capture these types of fish by [|jigging]. The hunter cuts a square hole in the ice on the lake and fishes using a fish lure and spear. Instead of using a hook on a line, Inuit use a fake fish attached to the line. They lower it into the water and move it around as if it is real. When the live fish approach it, they spear the fish before it has a chance to eat the fake fish. [|[7]]

[ [|edit] ] Decline in hunting
The decline of hunting is partially due to the fact that young people lack the skills to survive off the land. They are no longer skilled in hunting like their ancestors and are growing more accustomed to the Qallunaat ("White people") food that they receive from the south. The high costs of hunting equipment— [|snowmobiles], [|rifles] , [|sleds] , camping gear, [|gasoline] , and [|oil] —is also causing a decline in families who hunt for their meals. [|[8]]