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

1. Share a photo of the item

2. Write a short description of the item

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

4. Then describe how you would share this item with children OUTSIDE 

Qamutiik has been used by families long ago up to now here in the arctic for their outings, sledding, hunting and travelling. People can ride on top of it or use to carry supplies for fishing and hunting, as well as bring home their catch. Traditionally, it is pulled by a sled dogs, and today it is also pulled by snowmobiles.

This item can be shared outside with children during the winter to play in the snow but in smaller child sizes version. Children can take turns riding while the educators or their peers pulls them through the snow. This allows the children enjoy playing on the snow while learning about the Inuit culture practices in a hands on and fun way.

Freda

The Qamutiik is mostly made from different kinds of woods, handcrafted together in a very unique way so it can uphold and withstand the very tough weather that it normally has to go through with the very hard ice and hard drifted snow . It is mostly tied together with strong rope and some people still use the traditional seal skin rope, which is made from the bearded seal skin.

The Qamutiik is an essential asset to Inuit lives and culture. It is used for hunting and transporting their items and people over the land and sea ice. It can be used by pulling behind a snowmobile and or a dog team.

I will share the qamutiik with the children during outside play by bringing a small model for the children to explore. I’ll explain that it’s a special item used in the arctic to travel across the snow and ice, to carry supplies and people. Children can take turns pulling it through the snow, pretending they are on an adventure exploring the Arctic. This helps them learn about Arctic life in a fun way while they play together.

Vanissa

Amauti is a traditional parka worn by Inuit women of the eastern area of Northern Canada.Up until about two years of age, the child nestles against the mother’s back in amaut, the build-in pouch just below the hood.Arctic Inuit Parka, designed to keep the child warm and safe from frostbite , wind and cold , also helps to develop bonding between mother and child.(Wikipedia)

It is connected in Inuit Culture in a way that it is an Inuit traditional symbol of motherhood. This how they bond, protect and love their kids. Amauti is an Inuit Clothing Identity. The knowledge and skills of sewing are still passed from generation to generation.

I will share it by printing Amauti or borrow from someone and bring it to our daycare and during circle time I will ask the kids if they know about it and if they know someone using it.

I will ask them if they can show how to use it also. I think they gonna be excited to show it to their friends because I saw a lot of moms coming to daycare using it.

-Mila

An Amauti is a traditional designed woman’s parka for Inuit.It has a large built in pouch underneath an oversized hood. It is used for carrying a child.

—It is connected to Inuit culture in that it is designed for survival in extreme Arctic conditions.It is made from caribou skin or sealskins.

—It creates a bond between the mother and the child.

—The style of the Amauti indicates the woman’s origin,age and marital status.

—Creating an Amauti is an Inuit art passed down through generations.

—To share an Amauti with children outside,I will carry a child in an Amauti and tell children that am carrying the baby in an Amauti.They are used to seeing infants carried in an Amauti in the daycare while going for outdoor play.We have several Amauti in the daycare.During pretend play children carry baby toys in Amauti.Some of them are still carried in an Amauti when coming to daycare.

Margaret

The item i choose is the qaumiitk, it’s used for when Inuit go hunting on the land and catch caribou. They use the qaumiitk to out their catch and wrap it up in a tarp.

It’s connected to Inuit culture by using if for fishing derby and getting snow mobiles. They would use the qaumiitk to pull them of the snowmobile. The Inuit need the qaumiitk for catching seals polar bears mux ox and other animals to take it back to town after its all cut up.

I would share the qaumiik with the kids by sliding with it. Kids go sledding on qaumiiks to in the winter and maybe for a craft with construction paper the kids can make one. It’s very important for Inuit and kids to know how and what the qaumiik is used for and how it helps the Inuit on the land and when the fishing derby comes. The kids go on the qaumiik when they go fishing.

Lynnda

I WILL LIKE TO USES KAMIK;

KAMIK are traditional boots that are often made from seal skin.they are soft warm and are carefully sewn by hand.karmik can be worn in doors and are designed to keep feet warm and dry in cold Arctic weather.

CONNECTION TO INUIT CULTURE. Kamik are very important to the Inuit culture because they show traditional knowledge the go round generations. They will require good skills in making Kamik, patience , there is respect for animals because the use even the animal skin for warm dressing. Also respect for the land.

IMPORTANCE OF SHARING WITH ECE LEARNERS TO FORTER CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PRIDE. I will like to show children pictures or real pair of Kamik especially when some of the learners or their parents wear them to the daycare. I will also read book talking the seal and animal and show them the real seal skin in the daycare for better understanding. I will ask my children if their parent make them back home. I will always use simple words for better understanding of the kids. This will strengthen the children in an Inuit cultural and boost their identity and make them feel proud and have respect for elders, animals and the land. GLORY

A Qamutik is an Inuit sled or Cart. Which is used for transportation over snow. Instead of wheels like any other carts it has runners to all smooth running over the snow. It is made of light wood this allows it to be sturdy and easy to control over the tough land and ropes. Surprisingly there are nails used. Proper drilling and lashing is done to all each piece to be in a proper place and be flexible.

This is deeply engraved in the Inuit culture .It’s been used traditionally for generations and it’s the first mode of transport that Inuits had. Back then they used dogs to pull it. Nowadays people can use snowmobiles . It has been used to move from one community to another , hunting, and healers used them to visit the sick. It is made in a way that there is enough room for people , food and materials need for the trip. They are cushioned with either caribou or polar bear skins for comfort. It always people to cross the sea for camping and hunting.

I would have a sample in the classroom and we will discuss it during our circle time. From then i will take the kids outside and we gather around one. I will allow them to go in and explore. We have one that we use to carry infants for our outside walk. It has long boards on the sides to prevent kids from tipping over. We will take turns pulling each and i will have ones without sides to be used for sledding.

Langa