Abstract

Among the important instruments created by the first known people to inhabit the Arctic are stone figures called inuksuit. The meaning of the word inuksuk, 'to act in the capacity of a human,' is an extension of the word Inuk which means 'hurnan being.' We know that many inuksuit functioned as hunting instruments, navigational aids and message centres along with a number of other functions related to earthly activities. In addition, however, certain inuksuit were objects of veneration. They compelled humans to build them, out of fear, love, loneliness and, more importantly, they marked the thresholds of the spiritual landscape. They too were made of stone.