This is an Ulu. It is a metal blade with a wooden handle. This tool is often referred to as "a women's knife". It has been used by Inuit women for decades to cut animals skins and meat. It is deeply connected to Inuit culture and identity because it was used traditionally; however it is also used today all the time in kitchens, outside and when sewing. Uluit come in different shapes and sizes and have different purposes. If I were to share this cultural item with students I would make sure there was a class set of wooden ulus because a "real" ulu has a sharp blade. The wooden ulus could be used outside by a big group of children during "pretend play" when children pretend to harvest. It IS however important for young kids to learn about ulus and how to carefully use one. It would be appropriate to use an ulu with a metal blade with children in a 1:1 setting. For example, perhaps meat could be shared outdoors, and each child could take turns cutting with an ulu (with a blade).

Then

• Share a photo of the item 

• Write a short description of the item  

• Write a short description of how the item is connected to Inuit culture 

• Then describe how you would share this item with children OUTSIDE 

This is Savik that has been used for long time now. It is very useful, they are used for animal, cutting rope, or anything that needs cutting. This item is connected to Inuit cultural, it was and is now very useful, out on the land is most important, can make iglu out of it, can cut up meat or even An animal that was caught. I would describe this Savik to children how it can be dangerous, but also useful. Being careful when using “Especially children”, Never point the sharp part towards you or and one when using. If you hold it and point the sharp part towards you, it can be dangerous if you trip. You can also make an iglu out of this , cut blocks “hard snow” use your imagination to create anything or remove ice if needed. You can help someone in need to cut a rope, or you can cut meat outside with it. Knife is so useful but also can be dangerous.

-Debbie

Kamiik are traditional boots made of seal skins, and lined with duffle socks, they even can be made waterproof, when making waterproof, the fur on seal skin has to be removed first its called (iqaqtik) Kamiik are for everyone babies, kids,adults can have Kamiik. Kamiik are usually made by a lady, there are also few guys them can make Kamiik.

When telling kids about Kamiik i would wear mine to daycare to show and tell. They are seal skin Kamiik, they can have different designs in them, can be short or can be long, can even be with out fur, white no fur are called (naluak) brown no fur are (iqaqtiik) they can be in the water playing in puddles when wearing these kind of Kamiik, with the fur Kamiik are (miqquliik). And you can kneel down sit on your Kamiik and slide down the hill, or use a qisik (seal skin) to slide down the hill, it can help by cleaning the skin and soften abit by sliding.

-Joan

Qamutingnguaq can be used in hills not road to sled down or even if the child doesn’t wanna walk elsewhere use them to pull the Qamutingnguaq with the child.

I would let them use it with me to sliding down and walk uphill with them and pretend to be skidoo to pull them up

The qamutik (traditional Inuit sled) is fundamentally connected to the arctic land (snow and ice environments) because it was a major source of transportation.

-Aileen

We use seal skin for sledding, clothing,kamiks. Mitts, Qajaq,qammaq.

Is it important to Inuit culture to be warm and survive

Teach the children to sledding and to make it soft and wash the skin and clean the skin

Themes of seals songs,books,outside sledding on skins

-ooloota

• This is a Kamutik (Sled)

• Made from wood, rope, nails, and some use sled runners.

  It is used for sliding outdoors, carrying country meat, travelling out on the land, and dog team, it is used in so many ways. You can use it for carrying your groceries if you have no ride, and you can also use it for pulling your children if they don’t want to walk.

I would share this item with children outside by letting them slide down a hill, pulling them up the hill.

The Qamutik is traditionally used in many ways, it is very connected to the land.

-Annie

An amauti is a traditional packing parka.

Inuit use it as all the seasons goes by, they pack babies in the pouch of the traditional packing parka. We use it to carry our babies when we are travelling or when we are busy out there. We also use it to put baby to sleep when they are tired. At an ECE centre there are packing shirts for educators to use for the smaller babies. When we go to play outside the amauti is good for the children to see someone packing a baby.

Deanna

Amauti is a clothing made out of materials, Holyfield and commanders with yarns and the fur around the hood is usually from fox fur. Back in the day, Inuit had to improvise on how to survive the cold. They had to make clothing to keep warm, so they made clothing out of caribou hide, seal skin, polar bear, fox, wolves and make sinew thread out of caribou tendons to piece it all together. This Amauti was to help babies survive in the cold, receiving heat from the mother. It is also to help baby soothe, also very helpful for the mother to pack the baby and go outside for a fresh air and a walk. It was also used for mothers while traveling on a dog sled. It is very helpful in so many ways. I would share this item with children outside by using an Amauti and play in the snow. -Jean