Among the many tribes of Inuit that no longer pursue yearlong hunting and gathering activities are a number that were not as extensively studied. The Takurpingmiut and Kinguamiut are among those studied as prehistoric societies of Cumberland Sound, Greenland, while the Qikirtarmiut and Umanaqjuarmiut are more contemporary (camps active between the 1920s and '60s), but they share one thing in common: their roots in Thule society, which is being more actively studied than the people themselves, and their former permanent settlements (some of which were originally Thule occupied). (Stevenson 1997).
Information about the Caribou Inuit and Thule is hard to come by, but not nearly as much so as for the other groups mentioned above. What could be determined has been organized below.
The Caribou Inuit
One of the Central Inuit societies, the Caribou Inuit had very early contact with traders and adventurers. They and the Netsilik were the societies that passed on Euroamerican materials to the Copper Inuit for about a century, acting almost like a "middleman" between the two other Central Inuit cultures. (Stevenson 1997). They are so named because of their primary subsistence on inland game rather than maritime animals, but are closely associated with the Copper Inuit.
Some External Links
- The Canadian Encyclopedia: Caribou Inuit
- World Culture Encylopedia: Caribou Inuit
- MSN Encarta: Native Americans of North America
- Civilization.ca: Clothing Traditions - Copper and Caribou Inuit
- Clothing, Footwear, and territory of the Caribou Inuit
The Thule Inuit
Generally believed to be the progenitor culture of the Central Inuit - others include the Caribou Inuit, Copper Inuit, and Netsilik - and are more often spoken of in an archaeological context than modern-day ethnological work. Their descendants now live in Northern Labrador.
Timeline
- 13th-14th century A.D. until about A.D. 1650 - an initial and major period of occupation
- A.D. 1650-1750 - very sporadic settlement
- A.D. 1750 until mid-19th century A.D. - major occupation period, terminated with the establishment of Euro-american shore-based whaling stations
[adapted from (Stevenson 1997:45-46). It should be noted that this information is still being debated.
Some External Links
- Aboriginal Peoples: The Thule: Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage
- Civilization.ca: Gateway to Aboriginal Heritage
- The Thule Culture
- Athropolis: Thule Inuit
