Eskimo

Eskimo is a historical term that has been used to refer to Indigenous peoples who live in the Arctic and subarctic regions, including western Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and parts of eastern Siberia. In contemporary usage the term is considered outdated or potentially offensive by some communities. In Canada and Greenland, many people prefer the term Inuit; in Alaska, distinct groups such as Inupiat (Inupiaq) and Yupik have their own identities. The word’s etymology is commonly linked to a term in Algonquian languages meaning “eaters of raw meat,” but the origin is disputed, and many linguists discourage its use in favor of self-designations.

Linguistically and culturally, the peoples described by older usage belong to the Eskimo–Aleut language family, with major groups including Inuit (Inuktitut, Inuktun, and related languages), Inupiaq, and Yupik. Traditional economies are based on hunting, fishing, and gathering, with diets emphasizing marine mammals such as seals, walruses, and whales, as well as fish and caribou. Technologies include kayaks or umiaks, harpoons, and tools made from bone, stone, and metal. Clothing is typically made from animal skins and furs, and shelters range from snow houses in winter to coastal dwellings in other seasons; dog teams have been important for transport.

Historically, contact with Europeans and Russians began in the early modern period, leading to trade, missionary activity, and political incorporation into various states. Today many communities maintain Indigenous languages and cultural practices while engaging with modern economies, education systems, and governance. Language revitalization and Indigenous rights movements continue to influence policy and cultural preservation across the Arctic.