Warm Up: Describe the physical features and climate of the region in the picture. How would a group of people living here meet their

basic needs? What might their culture be like?

Today’s Question:

What is the culture of the Netsilik Inuit (Eskimo) people?

Agenda:

1. Watch videos/read stories about the Netsilik Inuit

2. Create a sensory figure of a Netsilik Inuit

Who are the Netsilik People?

The Netsilik people are part of the Inuit (Eskimo) people of the Arctic regions of

Canada and Alaska.

Fishing at the Stone Weir Part 1

1. What does this film tell you about Netsilik life?

2. In what ways are these people like you?

3. Does anything in the film surprise you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1c8lwMCXac (watch film minutes 1-8)

Anthropology: The study of human societies and their culture and

development

Netsilik songs and stories:

As the Eskimo hunter and his family silently cross the tundra, their thoughts are many. Some may be unique, reflecting their personal experiences,

others are likely based on knowledge and experiences shared by all Netsilik people.

What are the beliefs shared by all Netsilik people?

Tales of the Netsilik: Thunder and Lightning

1. What does this story tell us about the Netsilik inner world?

2. Why would the Netsilik want to explain these things?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j3qBKZKsds

The Earth and the People

With your group:• Read the story aloud

• Discuss the following questions:

1. What do these songs and stories tell us about the Netsilik inner world?

2. Why would the Netsilik want to explain these things?

How do Netsilik beliefs compare to other cultures?

All people wonder how their world came to be.

Can you think of other ways we explain the origin of the earth?

Fishing at the Stone Weir Part 2

Group 1: How are the Netsilik getting food?

Group 2: How are they caring for their young?

Group 3: What are the men doing?

Group 4: What are the women doing?

Group 5: What is the boy doing (notice especially his playing)?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1c8lwMCXac (watch remaining 22 minutes)

Who are the family members?

• Umiapik (oo-MY-apik): boy

• Kingnuk (KING-nook): his mother

• Itimangnark (ity-MAHNG-nark): his father

• Utah: family dog

Interpreting “Fishing at the Stone Weir”

What activities in the film could you understand immediately?

Which of these might also happen in your life?

What actions did you have trouble understanding?

Netsilik Inuit Sensory Figure:

Create a detailed, colored drawing of a Native American from the arctic regions of northern Canada and Alaska. What does this Native American see, hear, smell,

taste, and feel? As you complete your drawing, think about elements of their culture: How do they find food, shelter, and clothing? What are their beliefs and traditions? What kinds

of technology do they have?