Inukshuk Sculpture

Description: What is an inukshuk? An inukshuk (inuksuit plural) is a stone formation traditionally built by the Inuit. Originally spelled inuksuk, the word inukshuk means “to act in the capacity of a human.” Historians once thought inuksuit were a relatively modern phenomenon, but evidence suggests otherwise. Formations dating as far back as 2400-1800 BCE can be found on Canada’s Baffin Island.   What purpose did they serve? In a vast, barren region where much of the landscape looks the same, inuksuit were vital for navigating the area. The presence of an inukshuk might indicate a food source (like a food cache or a good fishing spot), serve as a warning marker (if an area was icy or unsafe), or act as a coordinate for travelers. Inuksuit were also used to herd and hunt caribou: women and children would chase caribou towards the rock piles while male hunters waited behind them with bows and arrows. Inuksuit also served more symbolic purposes. Someone might construct an inukshuk to mark