Inuksuk

An Inuksuk is a stacking of stones that can communicate his knowledge, essential to survive in Arctic.

The Inkusuit have been used by the Inuit to act as messenger instead of men.  For those who understand their language, they are welcome assistance during arctic trips because they indicate directions like the good hunting and fishing spots, they indicate where the meat hide is, where we can rest.

As time go by, the ways of building the Inuksuit have evolved.  In the past, Inuksuit were built by piling up stones in a particular way, but not in the shape of a human being.  However, today most of the Inuksuit are built like a human figure made of stones (with a head, a body, arms and legs).

Everything changes, today Inuit and non-Inuit, sometimes build Inuksuit simply to show their presence – in Arctic and also during trips far from their country.  An Inuksuk can be built simply to show joy in life.

In 1990, the satellite Anik B was sent in orbit.  In the North of Canada, it is known under the name of “Inuksuk Project” and uses the satellite to bring sophisticated communications modes to the Inuit.  This modern Inuksuk has allowed the contemporary communication through Arctic.

Do we still have Inuksuit in the south Arctic nowadays?

Yes, we have traffic signs; we also have more modern objects like GPS.

Friendship and the welcoming of the world are the meanings of both the English Bay structure and the 2010 Winter Olympics emblem, with Kanak's creation having the additional representation of the strength of his people and the modes of communication and technology before modern Canada.

Source: www.pilloud.net/francis/inuksuk.html