Re: Inuits and Eskimos

Posted by brian simons on April 27, 1999 at 06:29:52:

In Reply to: Re: Inuits and Eskimos posted by Chris on April 04, 1999 at 22:34:02:

: : : The version of the story I read about Nunavut in the New York Times reported in terms of "Eskimos" and said they are also called Inuit. Is it true that Eskimos and Inuits are the same? I always though the Inuit were different -- related but separate.

: : : Can anyone confirm?

: : : Cheers,
: : : Sarah

: : Hi Sarah,

: : It is true that Eskimos and Inuit are the same...However the latter term is the correct one meaning "The People" in Inuktitut.The term Eskimo originates from the Algonquin language meaning " Eaters of Raw Meat". It is not used in Canada anymore and I heard from a friend who is Inuit that it is not advisable to use the word Eskimo up north...The Inuit may consider it an insult...

: : Rebecca

:
: Hi Sarah and Rebecca,

: The term "Eskimo" is used occasionally in Alaska. It does not seem to be an insult as it is used by the people themselves, as in the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. It may just be a holdover from earlier times. More often, they use Yup'ik or Inupiat and refer to the individual groups.

: Chris

Chris,Sarah, and Becky,
It Seems to me in my intensive studies of the Inuit that the work Eskimos highly offends them....

Follow Ups:

• Re: Inuits and Eskimos antonia padilla 09:30:02 5/10/99 (0)
• Re: Inuits and Eskimos Chris 20:56:23 4/27/99 (2)
  • Re: Inuits and Eskimos Elaine 22:39:00 4/28/99 (1)
    • Re: Inuits and Eskimos Chris 23:19:11 4/28/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name    : 
E-Mail  : 
Subject : 

Comments:
: : : : The version of the story I read about Nunavut in the New York Times reported in terms of "Eskimos" and said they are also called Inuit.  Is it true that Eskimos and Inuits are the same?  I always though the Inuit were different -- related but separate.

: : : : Can anyone confirm?

: : : : Cheers,
: : : : Sarah

: : : Hi Sarah,

: : : It is true that Eskimos and Inuit are the same...However the latter term is the correct one meaning "The People" in Inuktitut.The term Eskimo originates from the Algonquin language meaning " Eaters of Raw Meat". It is not used in Canada anymore and I heard from a friend who is Inuit that it is not advisable to use the word Eskimo up north...The Inuit may consider it an insult...

: : : Rebecca

: : 
: : Hi Sarah and Rebecca,

: : The term "Eskimo" is used occasionally in Alaska.  It does not seem to be an insult as it is used by the people themselves, as in the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission.  It may just be a holdover from earlier times.  More often, they use Yup'ik or Inupiat and refer to the individual groups.

: : Chris

: Chris,Sarah, and Becky,
:      It Seems to me in my intensive studies of the Inuit that the work Eskimos highly offends them....


Optional Link URL:  
Link Title:         
Optional Image URL: