The Inuit Thought of It: "The Inuit Thought of It"

by Alootook Ipellie
This nonfiction book explores innovations developed by Inuit communities to survive the harsh Arctic environment.
20 words 102 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. archaeologist
    an anthropologist who studies prehistoric culture
    Many archaeologists believe that the ancient ancestors of today's Inuit may have come to North America about 20,000 years ago, crossing a land bridge that once connected Siberia and Alaska.
  2. settlement
    an area where a group of families live together
    In some places they would have met hunters from Viking settlements in Greenland.
  3. sod
    surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and roots
    They built houses of sod and driftwood, and created a variety of hunting tools from the materials at hand.
  4. caribou
    Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes
    Seals, walrus, whales, and caribou provided them with food, clothing, and materials to make tools.
  5. igloo
    a hut built of blocks of snow in the shape of a dome
    They relied on the igloo, which was easy to build and could be constructed anywhere.
  6. missionary
    someone sent to a foreign country to spread a religion
    Contact with Europeans, as well as with missionaries and Canadian government officials who came in the 1900s, brought many changes to how Inuit lived.
  7. innovation
    a creation resulting from study and experimentation
    Their ability to adapt and make innovations enabled Inuit to survive in the difficult conditions of the Arctic.
  8. territory
    a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
    1999 Canada creates a new territory called Nunavut, home to many Inuit.
  9. sinew
    a band of tissue connecting a muscle to its bony attachment
    Sealskin rope and caribou sinew were used to join the pieces of the frame together.
  10. streamline
    contour economically or efficiently
    The streamlined shape of the kayak allowed it to glide easily through the water.
  11. propel
    cause to move forward with force
    When there was wind, a sealskin sail could be used to help propel the umiak.
  12. insulation
    reduction of the transmission of sound, heat, or electricity
    For even more insulation from the cold, the outside of the whole igloo was then packed with an extra layer of more loose snow.
  13. endurance
    the power to withstand hardship or stress
    All the activities required strength and endurance.
  14. harpoon
    a spear with a barbed point for catching large fish
    This hunter has caught a beluga whale by using a harpoon with a sealskin float called an avataq.
  15. shaft
    a long rod or pole, especially the body of a weapon
    The long shaft was the main part of the harpoon and was usually made of wood.
  16. prong
    a pointed projection
    These pieces of antler were shaped into two prongs that grabbed onto the fish.
  17. blubber
    an insulating layer of fat under the skin of some animals
    Meat and fish were sometimes preserved by storing them in an airtight sealskin bag with some seal blubber oil.
  18. husky
    deep and harsh sounding
    At these desperate times, hungry husky dogs often gnawed at their sealskin harnesses.
  19. frostbite
    damage to bodily tissue caused by extreme cold
    Skin that is exposed to freezing temperatures for too long may develop a condition called frostbite, which can cause permanent damage.
  20. convenience
    a small mechanical device or tool
    Today, Inuit communities enjoy all the modern conveniences and the latest in technology.
Created on Fri Oct 09 10:51:49 EDT 2020 (updated Fri Oct 09 12:07:57 EDT 2020)

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