Ancient Thule Culture

In this research paper you will learn more about “the descendants of the ancient Thule culture,” (Netsilik, N.D) the Eskimo clan Netsilik. The indigenous culture that is the Netsilik, reside “North of Hudson Bay, especially from Committee Bay in the east to Victoria Strait in the west, north to Bellot Strait, and south to Garry Lake” (Netsilik, N.D), just above the Arctic circle. They call themselves the Netsilik or “people of the seal” because of their unusual diet. “The winter months for the Netsilik people starts in September and last right up until June, during these months the temperatures can range anywhere from 30-50 degrees below 0” (Young, 1970). During the 2-3 months of warmer weather, “the summer tundra remains wet, since permafrost
(Netsilik, N.D) Interaction with other civilizations would only prove to advance their own, for their neighboring community Iglulik introduced them to more advanced weaponry than their standard harpoon allowing them to gather resources more successfully. Further into the future, “trading posts were established around 1920, heralding the economic switch from white fox fur trapping and trade for additional items of non-native manufacture, such as woolen clothing, tobacco, steel traps, fishing nets, canoes (which replaced kayaks), tea, and canvas tents.” (Netsilik, N.D) Ten years later, “permanent non-native settlements began to appear, demonstrating the Netsilik’s ability to adapt to new culture, for they quickly accepted new religions, ending their taboo system and shamanic practices, not to mention infanticide and other social practices. The authority of traders, missionaries, and eventually the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) undermined traditional leadership, such as it was.” (Netsilik, N.D) The Netsilik have demonstrated over time that they are an adaptable, hardworking culture, one to be studied and modeled after for their interactive
Also, seal hunting is the number one priority in the winter, therefore routines are made that ensure a successful seal hunt and celebration only occurs when the Netsilik are once again food secure. The men only come back home once they have captured a seal, once they do each family will cut through the wall of their igloo and join the others to make a celebration igloo where dancing, songs and games will be had. (Young, 1970). “During the celebration the seal will be brought in so that the people can engorge themselves with seal meat. First the people believe that the dead seal is thirsty so they give it salt or water to appease it. It is then accustomed for the wife of the hunter who caught the seal to carve it and distribute it to the others.” Dominance of men and women is once again shown at this time, for “little boys are the first to get a bite of the seal, while girls are given a fresh drink of blood”. (Young, 1970) After the children have had their share of the seal, “the seal is shared amongst the different hunting parties according to different rules, each family is entitled to a different part of the seal and to that part alone.” (Young, 1970) After this, the men will each put up a prize to be won during games that they play, including one called “funny faces” and another is called the spindle game. The prizes that were won at the end