How Have The Eskimo People Traditionally Provided For Themselves?
Hunting and trapping have long been the Eskimo’s means of livelihood. If hunting was poor in one locality, he would move his whole family to an area where animals and fish were more plentiful. Sons would accompany their fathers on the hunt, receiving practical training on how to become providers. Whale, walrus, seal, caribou and the famed polar bear were main items of diet, but these were supplemented by smaller game such as birds and fish. Generally the meat was eaten either dried, frozen or raw. The responsibility of Eskimo women has always been to care for the domestic chores and to clean and prepare the skins for making articles of clothing. The art of softening the skins so that they can easily be sewn into parkas, mitts and mukluks (sealskin boots) has been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. During the short open-water season Eskimos make a sealskin kayak for fishing and travelling. It is light enough to be carried in one hand, being made of strong waterproof sk
