People of the Ice

The Eskimo-or Inuit as they prefer to be called-are scattered throughout the vast northern regions of North America and Greenland. Theirs is a hostile land with a fierce Arctic climate, yet the Inuit have survived for centuries. More than any other native group, they depended on hunting and fishing for survival: food, heat and light, clothing, shelter, means of transport, tools and weapons-even drinking water, for in winter, animal fat had to be burned to melt snow. This book describes and illustrates how the Inuit built their igloos, kayaks and sledges; made their clothing and prepared their food; played games and carved beautiful objects from soapstone, and, of course, how they hunted and fished. Heather Smith Siska is a freelance writer who has published school textbooks and articles in children's magazines. Ian Bateson, a freelance artist, illustrated People of the Trail and People of the Longhouse.