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HUNTING AND FISHING
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NUNAVUT FLAG
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Over the generations, knowledge of which game was accessible during a specific time of year was passed on among Inuit. The persuit of game during the various seasons is still followed to some extent today in less vigorous ways.In earlier times, when fall approached, it meant moving inland as far as possible,in an attempt to reach caribou country. If it was several nights it did not matter-just as long as there was enough caribou for Inuit to catch so that they had food for the winter and good clothing for the entire family.Inuit returned to the coast to do more fishing. Fishing season was also good during the ice freeze, especially in October. Inuit would fish for artic char through the ice by making holes.
During the winter months, there was hardly any huntinh or fishing, except for occasinal caribouhunts. Inuits travelled to areas where caribou was plentiful and to coastal areas for seals.
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With the arrival of longer days in March and April, it became necessary to hunt seals through seal holes(on the ice). This was very difficult work as Inuit had to wait for seals to come up. There are many hunters who have their dogs sniffing for the holes through the thick snow. Seal holes are normally on the east side of ice ridges because of the prevailing westerly winds. When a hunter caught a seal, it meant they would have fresh meat for themselves and their dogs, a welcomed event. Inuit headed for the rivers along the coast where they'd fish for artic char and hunt migrating birds. Fish were caught by jigging through the ice along the edge of lakes and coastal waters; as the ice melted, natural holes were used. Seals could be caught as they gathered to feed on the fish coming down the river. Birds were snared as they nested -much like snaring rabbits. The bird would get caught around the neck as it attempted to fly when scared off the nest. After taking a breather for about a month,inuits begin hunting seals again.When all the snow had melted on the ice inuit looked for young mature seals,called nattiaviniit. With spring harvesting done, June and July were welcomed.Inuits knew it was summer because the snow had melted.The month of June is manniit("egg") month and people are out gathering eggs, and the lakes and rivers are opening up. Artic char swim downstream and people catch fish once again. Migratory birds such as geese and ducks arrive. For most, it's a welcome change of diet.
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INUITS HUNTING AND FISHING
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MAP OF NUNAVUT
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In late August and most Inuti caught lots of artic char,so they would have enough fish for the winter. It is now time to move inland again to hunt caribou. Inuit would travel to caribou crossings and them by kayak and bow and arrow. Caribou could be herded to an area where the men readied themselves to pursue them with kayaks. The places were carefully chosen and surveyed to ensure a good hunt. Another tactics used involved inukhoks (spelled elsewhere in Nunavut as inuksuit). Inukhoks were raised to help guide the animals along a route to men behind blinds, waiting with a bow and arrow. Inuit would not allow wounded animals to suffer unnecessarily.They were pursued,caught, and killed as quickly as possible.All members of the Inuit family,with the exception of babies, had a part in carrying out responsibilities, whether they saw a herd of five or thirty, they used to try and shoot them all. It must be remembereed that all animals that the Inuit hunted were used for human food, clothing and dog food.
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