Kayaks of the Central Canadian Inuit

Copper, Netsilik and Caribou Inuit of the Central Canadian Arctic used kayaks that were narrow and more or less round-bottomed. Some local varieties had long, thin end horns that could serve as handholds in the event of a capsize rescue. These kayaks were designed for great speed and were therefore well suited to one of their primary functions: the pursuit and capture of swimming caribou at inland lakes and rivers.

Copper Inuit kayak Coronation Gulf region, Northwest Territories, 1916 CMC IV-D-1057

Caribou Inuit kayak Main builder: Tunguaq Baker Lake, Northwest Territories, 1968 CMC IV-C-3634

Caribou Inuit kayak with painted bands, a common decorative feature of this variety Main builder: Tunguaq Baker Lake, Northwest Territories, 1969 CMC IV-C-4121

kayaks |  umiaks |  bark canoes |  dugout canoes exhibition photos |  conservation |  bibliography |  other WWW resources credits