Inukshuk's are seen everywhere along highways where rock is available. People make these monuments to show that they have been there. In the Arctic there are thousands of Inushuk's placed there for many reasons.
Firstly they were built to show the way for nomad travellers moving across that baron land. In winter one cannot tell or distinguish between land or water. Everything appears the same. These markers peered above the snow showing the way.
These distinctive markers were often built to help in the harvesting the caribou. The markers were made to look like a person so as to guide the herds through a narrow passage so the Inuit hunters could get their winter meat and clothing. Caribou clothing is so warm that few northern travellers were able to withstand the extreme temperatures without it. Personally I used caribou for mittens, pants and hooded coats. I was rarely cold in temperatures sometimes reaching -80 with the wind chill factor.
Inukshuks were used to mark food caches. Hunters would place meat and fish in places and cover them with stones. In the winter months they are retrieved but would never be found if the Inuit did not leave a marker. This type of Inukshuk was usually a straight pile of stones ,one upon another to a height of 5-8 feet.
Good fishing places were sometimes marked with a collection of artistically built structures.
Where semi permanent settlements were present the Inuit marked their homes with cleverly built monuments.
Lynda came to visit me on several occasions and built a Inukshuk on the land behind my cabin overlooking Mount Pelly and Grenier Lake. It was still there years after when I went up there for a visit. Inuit never touch or destroy Inukshuk's as they understand the meaning and the importance of these Arctic landmarks.
Finally these markers were used to mark grave sites. When travelling on the tundra mishaps occured and people who died were buried immediately and their bodies covered with stones. Markers were erected if there was enough time and material available. In winter it is impossible to pick up a stone from the ground as everything id frozen solid.
I have a large Inukshuk in my backyard to keep me thinking about my life up there. It is comforting to look out my bedroom window and see that structure. Lately some chipmunks have made it their home and are often seen sitting on one of the arms of our Inukshuk.
