1

The Eskimo-Aleut World map
2005
Siberia to Greenland Arctic
TEXT ATTACHMENT


2

The Eskimo-Aleut Family

All languages spoken by "Eskimo" (Inuit and Yuut) people, as well as the language of the Aleuts (the natives of the Aleutian Islands, in southwestern Alaska), belong to the same family: the Eskimo-Aleut (or Eskaleut) family. This family comprises a total of seven languages, divided into two branches: Aleut & Eskimo.

The ESKIMO-ALEUT FAMILY

A tree has branches so does a language tree. The Eskimo-Aleut family tree has two branches: Aleut and Eskimo.

These two main branches have more branches called sub-branches. The Aleut branch has one sub-branch also called Aleut. The Eskimo branch has two sub-branches called Inuit and Yupik.

These sub-branches are broken into more sub-sub-branches called languages. The Aleut sub-branch has a language called Aleut.
The two sub-branches of the Eskimo line are Inuit and Yupik, as mentioned earlier. So the two sub-branches of the Eskimo branch has six languages: Inuit, Central Alaskan Yupik, Alutiiq, Central Siberian Yupik, Naukanski, and Sirenikski.

Table of the two main branches of the Eskimo-Aleut Family: Aleut & Eskimo

BRANCHES
1) Aleut

SUB-BRANCH
Aleut is a sub-branch of Aleut

LANGUAGE
Aleut is the language of the Aleut sub-branch

BRANCHES

2) Eskimo

SUB-BRANCH OF ESKIMO

Inuit & Yupik

LANGUAGES

1) Inuit
2) Central Alaskan Yup'ik

3) Alutiiq
4) Central Siberian Yupik
5) Naukanski
6)Sirenikski

So these six languages of the Eskimo branch and with the addition of the one language of the Aleut branch make up the seven languages under the Eskimo-Aleut Family that is talked about by Louis-Jacques Dorais.

1.1 Geographical Distribution

"The Eskimo-Aleut family extends from the Bering Sea area, in the west, to the shores of the Strait of Denmark (between Greenland and Iceland), in the east (cf.Map 1). It covers four countries: the USSR (Siberian Chukotka; Commander Islands), the USA (coastal Alaska), Canada (Inuvik (Northwest Territories), and the Kitikmeot, Keewatin, and Baffin regions of the Nunavut); Arctic Quebec; northern Labrador); and Greenland (which forms an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark)... (Page 5 Chapter 1. Inuit Uqausiqatigiit INUIT LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS, Louis-Jaques Dorais, Arctic College - Nunatta Campus, Iqaluit, 1990).

There are many dialects of the Eskimo-Aleut in Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland (Dorais)

For this limited exhibit we specify only in the Keewatin (& some Kitikmeot) areas due only to limited nature of our brief study of Inuit songs, legends and stories. Some of the Inuit dialectal groups cames from the Kitikmeot area and there is quite a long history of people traveling back and forth between the Keewatin and Kitikmeot regions.

Inuit use to hunt in all areas of Arctic and were only limited if they had to walk. They did walk a great deal but they also used dog-sledges in the winter and kayait in the summer. In talking with the elders we discovered that in the winter coastal Inuit use to walk inland to the lakes to catch fish and also be in the line of caribou migration. The ice freezes and the polar bears move further away from shore to hunt in open water off the ice. In spring when the warm weather melts the ice the polar bear then comes back near the shore. When spring came the Inuit would also travel with all their gear to the coastline. It was only when the Qablunaat (caucasians) came with their food and goods that the Inuit started to settle into communities to work for the Hudson's Bay Company and other Qablunaat establishments like the R.C.M.P., whalers, Christian missions, and government people.

The Inuktitut naming is usually descriptive so it is not surprising that they name people other people according to some description about them. Inuit name other Inuit according to which area they came from or their place of origin.

In the Inuit world the strongest wind or the most place where the wind comes from the Northwest is called U-an-naq. The Northstar (Upluriagjuaq) is in the north and the Sun travels along the south, rising from the east and sets in the west. The people of Keewatin and Gjoa Haven people regularly traveled between their regions. On the way to Gjoa Haven there is a lake called Garry Lake in English and it is called Hanningajuq in Inuktitut. It flows west to east. Han-ni-nga-juq means sideways or crooked. (By the way, the Christian cross is also called han-ni-nga-juq) The people who use to live in the Garry Lake area were called Han-ni-nga-ju-lin-miut meaning the people of the Han-ni-nga-juq area. Hanningajurmiut are also called Ualininmiut (people from area of which the sun follows east to west) by people north of them, the Utkusiksalinmiut.

Utkusiksalinmiut or Ukkuhikhalinmiut came from the area originally occupied by those whose homeland was in the Chantrey Inlet area along the Back River between east of Garry Lake. Their pots were made out of soapstone from their area. Utkusik is a pot so in essence "the people who have cooking pots".

I-lui-lin-mi-ut are people from Adeleide Peninsula. Iluilliq is missing a piece like if you take a piece of pie from a pie then there is a gulf or a hole. At Adeleide Peninsula there is like a part of the land is missing. So people from that area are called I-luil-lir-miut.

People that made their home at Qairniq were named Qairnirmiut "dwellers of the flat bedrock" at Corbett Inlet, between Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, Nunavut.

Hauniqtuurmiut originally made their home at Hauniqtuuq which was south of Whale Cove, between Sandy Point and Arviat. Hauniqtuuq means "where there are lots of bones (whale bones)"

Akilinirmiut were people of the Beverly Lake and Aberdeen Lake. "A-ki" means "the other side". While standing on land the hills on the other side of the river can be seen between Beverly Lake and Aberdeen Lake, Nunavut.

Harvaqtuurmiut were people who lived around the Kazan River. Harvaqtuuq means it has strong rapids.

The Paalirmiut lived in the area around the Paadliq area just north of the present community Arviat. Paadliq means there where willows abound. They could have been called Uqpigmiut but the Inuit chose Paatlirmiut. Uqpik is willow.

Inuit Heritage Centre 2005

3

Songs

Translation & Interpretation

Over and over again the Inuit elders will talk about how the Inuit songs were spiritual in nature so that direct naming of living things including people was not usually practiced.

All living things had a spiritual world where even the animals will hear when they are talked about so that often in songs the author does not mention the word 'kill' and instead use words like 'meeting' the 'dark one' as when two people walk towards each other they meet. The practice of not mention 'spouse' but a pronoun or reference to someone in an impersonal pronoun.

4

In this exhibit in translating the songs when there was a need for additional information this was done with brackets and square brackets or by the mention of 'interpretation'.

5

Inuit women sitting on top of Hudson's Bay Co building
Spring 1926
Ukpiktujuq 'Big Hips Island', Baker Lake, Nunavut
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Burwash, L.T. Major
# PA099427 National Archives of Canada

6

Siatsiaq, Aivilinmiutaq.

Sung by Martha Taliruq, Winnie Owingayak, and Jean Simailak

(l minute of singing starts here)
10 a-i-ja Tu-ki-ti-u-jal-la-ra-ma ma-tu-mu-nga
a-i-ja I adjust myself to aim straight to the mark with this thing
ka-u-gak-taq-tu-ar-jun-muun
this fancy hammer (of rifle)

11. Suu-pi-gin-nar-mi-gi-ga
I will probably just cause wind (if I miss it) to go by the one
Nag-ju-lig-ju-ar-li man-naa
This one carrying the big antlers

12. A-i-ja-ja i-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ji-ja-ji-ja-aji

13. Aija Suu-pi-gin-na-mi-gap-kuu
Aija I did just blow wind to go by the one
nag-ju-lig-ju-ar-li man-na
this one carrying the big antlers

14. a ul-la-ju-al-laq-tu-nga
I chased it

kig-gu-a-qu-ti-gun
through the rocky boulder areas

Ma-u-na-lii aija jaja?.
Just now through here aija jaja?.

15. Aija a ul-la-ju-al-lar-ra-ma kig-gu-a-qu-ti-gu(n) ma-u-na-lii
Aija I chased it through the rocky boulder areas through here

(l minute of singing ends here)

16. ti-gum-miq-tu-ju-hu-nga-ri-ga
I hung onto it surprisingly

nag-ju-lig-ju-ar-li man-na
this big one with big antlers

ki-ngul-li-a-lu-a-gul-liii ai-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ji
through the rocky area with big boulders

Beginning of song

1. i-ja-ja-ja-ja pi-suk-pa-gun-na-ngit-tu-nga i-ja-ja-ja-ja I certainly could not walk [hunt]

i-ja-ja-ja-ja pii-suk-pa-gun-na-ngit-tu-nga
i-ja-ja-ja-ja I certainly could not walk

2. Nu-na-mi pan-ma-nii-maa aa-ja-ja-i ji-jaa-aja aja-ja-ja-ja a-ja-ji-ja a-ji a-ja ji
on the land/tundra up there

3. a-i-jaa a-un-niil-lu ta-i-ma pi-suk-pa-gun-na-mi-na-ngaaa
a-i-jaa Even me then though I cannot go walking [hunting] on the land

4. ta-ku-ra-ta-li-ri-vii(k)
I suddenly unexpectedly saw something

qin-na-u-mi-jal-lar-maa(t) qin-na-lu
darkened tundra and next to it one carrying big antlers

ki(g)-li-ngani nag-ji-ja-u-jal-laq-lu-nii
closeby carrying surprisingly antlers

5. ai-ja-ja i-jaa a-jai a-ja-i ja ja-jaja a-i-ja-ji-ja a-jii
a-i-jaa qin-na-u-mi-jaal-lar-maat
a-i-jaa surprisingly dark coloring it was,

tir-li-aq-taa-ta-ri-gaaa
I surprised [spied] it unexpectedly

6. tir-li-aq-ta-ta-ri-gaaa
I spied [surprised] it unexpectedly

tu-nu-ngiq-tu-a-taq-lu-guu
and in addition I approached it from behind

ai-ja-ja-i-ja ja-i-jaijajajajajajajijaji

7. aijaa tir-li-aq-ta-ta-rap-ku
aijaa I surprisingly spied it ,

tu-nu-ngiq-tu-a-taq-lu-guu
in addition my good fortune I approached
it from behind

8. Tu-ki-ti-u-jak-lak-tunga ma-tu-mu-nga
I adjust myself to aim straight to the mark with this

kau-gak-taq-tu-ar-jun-muun (rifle with hammer)
with this thing that hits it on the mark

9. Ai-ja-ja a-ja a-ja a-ja ja-ja-ja-ja-ja-ji

7

Four Inuit men met by J. B. Tyrrell
1893
Thelon River, Nunavut, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photographer: Joseph Burr Tyrrell
# PA037608 National Archives of Canada

8

Qisaruaq's song, Hauniqtuurmiutaq.

Martha Taliruq, Winnie Owingayak, Jean Simailak

A-ja-ji-jai ja-ji-ja
Suur-li-ki-aq (why) u-va-nga (I)
i-qi-a-sun-ngi-la-ur-piik (was I awake with excitement)

A E-lin-ni-lu-a-nik-kap-ku (after studying the weather) hi-la qan-ma (the weather outside/ the sky)
up-laak-kuut (in the morning)
a-ja-ji-ja a ja-ja-a-ji-ja-ja-jaa a-i-jaa a-i-ja-ji-ja-ija-ji-ja-i-ja a-ja-ji-jaaa a-ja-ji

a-i-jaa I-hum-ma-ri-li-rap-ku (when I got to think about it) ni-ju-nim-naa (the animal)
ma-niq-qa-mii (on the ground/tundra)
i-qi-a-hun-ngi-la-uq-piik (I sure was wide awake with anticipation)
A lin-ni-lu-a-nik-kap-ku (after studying the weather) hi-la qan-ma (the weather outside/ the sky)
up-laak-kuut (in the morning) aja-ji-jaa ai-ja-ji-ja-ja-jaa a-jaa-ji-ja-i-ja a-ja-ji-jaaa a-ja-ji

a-i-jaa I-qi-a-hun-ngi-gin-naq-pik ni-qal-lu-ru-maal-lar-ma a-ngil-ra-mun
up-lu-mi-li un-niil-li uv-vaa ni-kal-lu-ru-maa-lar-ma qu-ngu-tu-ru-al-laq-tu-ngaa
ka-ti-la-u-ga-nik-kap-ku (after I met)
tuk-tu (the caribou) man-na up-lu-mi-lii (but today)
a-ja-ji-jaa i-ja a-ja-ji-ja a ja-ja-ji-ja-ja-jaa a-jaa-ji-ja-i-ja a-ja-ji-jaaa a-ja-ji a-ja
____________________________

(No) wonder why I was wide awake with excitement
After study the weather when I went out this morning and saw the outside and
I started thinking about the animal that is on the land
I feel excited when there will come a time I know when I'll be too sad
Right now I cannot help myself from smiling
I met the caribou today on the tundra/flat land

9

Two Iglulik men standing.
1922
Iglulik, Nunavut, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photo #0249. The Fifth Thule Expedition
National Museum of Denmark

10

Taqaugaq's Song

a-ijaa, iqsirilillaarapku naanurli unaa, tunugiaqsinnaqpin umijjanulli
i-ja-ja-i-ja-ji-ja-i-ja-a-ji
aijaa, u-qa-lu-ja-liq-ping inuillamii tu-qu-si-man-ngi-nap-ku qa-ju-mun
a-ta-ut-si-muun i-ja-ja-i-ja-ji-ja-w-ja-a-ji
a-i-jaa, pi-ja-tu-a-ra-u-na ak-lu-naa-tu-aq ti-ngil-ra-u-

Sung by Martha Taliruq and Winnie Owingayak, Baker Lake, Inuit Heritage Centre

I'm scared of this polar bear so I turned my back to the umiat
So I said to no one (to myself)
I haven't killed it (polar bear) with only one bullet
I have only got this rope for sailing....

(interpretation of possible meaning:

I'm frightened of this polar bear instead of going out on the boat that is going to hunt a polar bear I turn my back to the boat. When I was all by myself I said to no one that I haven't killed a polar bear using only one bullet but many bullets and this rope that could have been used to tie around the caribou to carry it on my back is now only used as support for sailing)

11

Three Inuit men just arrived by qajait.
1900
Thelon River, Nunavut, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photographer: Joseph Burr Tyrrell
# PA019563 National Archives of Canada

12

Jacob Ikinilik's Song

Am-na-i-jaa a
Na-lu-naq-si-vak-sin-naq-tuuq pi-sik-sa-ra
Na-lu-naq-si-vak-sin-naq..........tuuq
Ta-i-nik-sa-qar-ngin-na-ma

am-na-i-jaa a-jaa a-ja-a-ja a-ja-ja-ji-jaa a-ja-a-jii
a-i-jaa am-na-i-jaa a nag-lin-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq
ig-lu-ma-li i-nu-a-li hi-lal-liiq
nu-nal-lu ma-ti-hin-na-rap-ku
a-i-ja a-i-ja a-ja-ja-ji-jaa i-ja a-ji
a-i-ja am-na-i-jaa
nag-lin-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq
ig-lu-ma-li i-nu-a-li hi-lal-li
tu-va-i-tin-na-hap-ku a-i-ja am-na-i-jaa
pi-ma-ra-in-na-u-ju-nga i-nun-ni-li ta-mal-lir-ni
pi-ma-ra-in-na-u-ju-nga a-i-jaa a-i-jaa
a-i-ja am-na-i-jaa u-gur-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq
a-qil-gin-nu-aq ug-gur-na-ra-lu-a-rii......vuq
a-ul-la-ti-gin-na-rap-ku a-i-jaa i-jaa a-jaa-i-jaa i-jaa a...
a-ja-i-ja-ji-jaa a-i-ja-a-ji a-i-jaa am-na-i-ja
u-gu-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq
sak-ku-ga-li ma-niq-qa-mun
i-gi-hin-naq-hi-ma-gapku
am-na-i-jaa a-jaa a-ja-a-jaa a-ja-ja-ji-jaa a-ja-a-jii
a-i-jaa am-na-i-jaa a
ih-hi-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq qir-niq-tur-ju-aq
ir-si-na-ra-lu-a-rii...................vuq
al-lam-nil-li sa-puj-jiq-sa-qaq-tin-na-ni
am-na-i-jaa a-jaa a-ja-a-jaa a-ja-ja-ji-jaa a-ja-a-ji-jaa
a-ja-i-ja a-jii a-i-jaa a-i-jaa am-na-i-jaa
qu-ja-na-ra-lu-a-ri-vuuq qim-mi-ra-li
qu-ja-na-ra-lu-a-ri---------------------vuuq
pi-ma-ja-ril-laq-tin-na-ni
am-na-i-jaa a-ja-i-ja a-ja-i-ja-a-ja a-ja-ja-ji-jaa a-ja-a-ji-jaa
a-ja-i-ja a-jii a-i-jaa a-i-jaa am-na-i-jaa

Out there..............
Its hard to know what to sing about
It's hard to find a subject
I love
My house's person (My wife)

I keep her from having a real hunter
(If I weren't with her she might have had a real hunter)
I regret to have let a ptarmigan fly away
I regret to have thrown my bullets on the ground
(I missed my mark)

The big black one was fearsome
But there was no one to defend us
Am I grateful to my dog.

I'm always bored at home with nothing to do
The word arrives from the outside
I'm sad in our house because I'm bored

It is fearsome what communicates to me from the outside
It communicates to me through the air outside
Everybody helps me

Everybody from the outside helps me
I can't think of a subject outside of wildlife
I just wait doing nothing
I will remember the big antlered one that I hung onto
That I did not clean that which I hung onto

13

Inuit men on qajait
1900
Thelon River, Nunavut, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photographer: Joseph Burr Tyrrell
# PA019562 National Archives of Canada

14

Elizabeth Tunnuq singing.

Aija uhiptauq taima
unninialirivara
ikiliqtuallurapku nagjihajuq
qamalrupli hinaani.

imaija ajajajajajaja jaja immaija aji
ajajajajajajaja aja ja ja immaija aji
upinngarhinarmagu hikititlarpaliritka nagjuligjuit
qamanirjuup hillagut immaija ajajai aja
ajajajajajajaj immaijajajaja