Inuit

=Introduction= Inuit (/ˈɪnjuɪt/; Inuktitut: ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, ᐃᓄᒃ, dual: Inuuk, ᐃᓅᒃ; Iñupiaq: Iñuit 'the people'; Greenlandic: Inuit) are a group of indigenous peoples of North American Arctic, inhabiting across Russia (Chukotsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug), United States (Alaska), Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Labrador), and Greenland.

In Russia, there are pockets of Inuit diaspora communities existing from the relocations of Big Diomede Iñupiat (Inuit) to the Russian Mainland, particularly in the cities of Lavrentiya, Lorino, and Uelen all within Chukotsky District of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia. Though most had been gradually assimilated to Siberian Yupik of the relocated territories and the mainstream Russia, traditional Inuit cultures and heritages play important roles for individuals in Russia. The recent speculations show around 100 to 200 individuals with Inuit heritage remaining in Russia.

In Alaska, Inuit, or more commonly referred as Iñupiat or Iñupiaq-Eskimo, traditionally inhabited the territories across the North Slope Borough, Northwest Arctic Borough and most of Nome Census Area with some portions across in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. Though many had been heavily influenced by the American involvements and cultures, Iñupiaq culture still remains strong and vital in the region with growing awareness and revitalization movements. Some notable settlements might include Utqiagvik, Kotzebue, and Nome.

In Canada, Inuit are considered as one of three major branches of indigenous peoples of Canada, alongside with Metis and First Nations. Inuit mostly and traditionally resided five core regions across the northern half of Canada: Inuvialuit Settlement Region of Yukon and Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik of Quebec, Nunatsiavut of Northern Labrador, and NunatuKavut of Central and Southern Labrador. The Government of Canada recognizes all except of NunatuKavut as "Inuit Nunangat" protecting and granting the rights and autonomy over the land. The languages and cultures remain much stronger and less affected by the outsiders, with respective languages commonly spoken and learned throughout the region. Important settlements or cities of Inuit territories of Canada might include Inuvik, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Kuujjuaq, and Nain.

In Greenland, where the Inuit are considered as the major ethnicity of the territory, cultures, languages, and traditions of Greenlanders are well-protected and used widely compared to their respective counterparts in Russia, Alaska, and Canada. Hosting the largest population of Inuit in its traditional territory, with high level of autonomy from its ruling Danish government, Greenland remains only such external territory or semi-independent nations of Inuit. Vital cities and settlements in Greenland could be the capital of Greenland and the largest city in Inuit world, Nuuk, with Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Ilulissat, and Qaqortoq.

=Terminology= There are various different terminologies regarding the Inuit and their adjacent neighbors. Though they might have some overlaps and disputes, each term generally directs different groups or areas within and out of Inuit.

Eskaleut or more commonly known as Eskimo-Aleut, Eskimo-Unangan, Inuit-Yupik-Unangan, is the largest and overarching term for all of North American Arctic indigenous peoples, including all of Inuit as well as neighboring Yupik and Unangax (Aleut).

Eskimo is also a broad term, encompassing both Inuit and its adjacent group, Yupik. Likely having been derived from Innu-aimun-based language, the term "eskimo" is commonly regarded to be related to the word for a person who laces a snowshoe or a person who eats the raw meat, which some might consider it as offensive or outdated. In the modern times, the term had faced the significant decline with the replacement with autonyms and ethnic-specific words like "Inuit" or "Yupik." However, regardlessly, the word is still commonly used with differences in prevalance and acceptance in different countries.

Inuit (singular: Inuk; dual: Inuuk) is an autonym, meaning "people," directing the Inuit (Neo-Thule) in separate from Yupik. However, the term might have also changing meaning and capacity depending on the context. Though, it is generally used for Inuit of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, in some cases, the term per se may be used in replacement of "eskimo," also including the Yupik, who might not identify as such in cases. In more narrow case, the term may be also used to address only the Inuit of Canada and Greenland or only the Inuit of Canada.

Iñupiat (singular: Iñupiaq) is a subterm under Inuit, meaing "the real people" in their respective dialect, addressing the Inuit of Russia, Alaska, and possibly parts of Western Canada. However, the term is commonly closely associated with Alaska and the usage outside of Alaska, such as Russia and Canada, is limited. Furthermore, Kalaallit (singular: Kalaaleq) is also another subterm, directing the Inuit of Greenland. In addition, the term Inuvialuit (singular: Inuvialuk) directs the Inuit of Western Canadian Arctic, especially those related to the Inuit of Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Depending on the geographical region or nation, the prevalance and usage of terms may differ. In Russia, due to long history of assimilation to Siberian Yupik, the distinguishing term may not be commonly used with terms like Yupik, Siberian Yupik, or Siberian being more commonly used to the Inuit of Russia. However, the term "Iñupiat" and "Inuit" are gaining more and more popularities and favors in Russia over the years thanks to its involvement with other Inuit communities through ICC (Inuit Circumpolar Council).

In Alaska, the term "Eskimo" is still prevalent and commonly used in daily conversations and identifications. However, more and more individuals and groups are preferring more specific terms regarding Alaskan Inuit such as "Iñupiat" or "Iñupiat-Eskimo" to distinguish themselves with neighboring Yupik population.

In Canada and Greenland, "Inuit" is commonly used and accepted, however, other regional specific terms like "Kalaallit," "Inuvialuit," and others are also commonly used. On the other hand, the term "Eskimo" may be considered offensive and inapproproate in certain contexts and conversations, especially for those in Canada.

=Territory=

Inuit Nunaat or Inuit Homeland extends deep across almost entirety of the North American Arctic with parts splitting over to Asian Arctic (Russia) and Subarctics of North America. In area wise, the scale of the territory collectively in all 4 nations is massive with nearly the size of Australia or the continental United States.

Longitudinally, the Inuit have their presence as west as Western Bering coast of Chukotka, Russia, near the town of Lorino in Russia, to as far east in the the Atlantic and Greenlandic Coast, Ittoqqormiit in East Greenland, but with historical footsteps reaching as far as Northeastern Greenland.

Latitudinally, Inuit had spread from as north as Northern Greenland (Avannaa), marking Siorapaluk as the northernmost, but with historical foodstep over to Peary Land, the northernmost place on Earth, to as south as Rigolet in Labrador, but possibly down to Cote Nord of Quebec and Newfoundland Island, when factoring NunatuKavut.

The vast territory of Inuit was formed and shaped through the natural and ethnographic limits. Its maximum border to the North and East was hugely restricted as they reached the Arctic Ocean and Greenland Sea. Its western and southern border was defined with the ethnographic shapes, nearly aligning with the tree lines (the maximum northern extend that trees can naturally grow). As the Inuit moved more and more to the south for resources, they typically saw the conflicts and competitions with the groups and tribes in the Subarctic belt of North America.

=Language=

Inuit communities around the Arctic shows the diverse linguistic backgrounds. Traditionally, the Inuit communities primarily spoke the Inuit Languages, a branch of languages in Eskaleut Language Family. Known for relative homogeneity and its polysynthetic structures, Inuit languages, in modern terms, includes five different languages: Iñupiaq (Iñupiatun), Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, and Kalaallisut, which themselves are subdivided into different dialects. Additionally, Indo-European languages are also widely used since its colonization and incorporation to respective countries.

Thouh there are various languages spoken throughout the North American Arctic, the predominant and well-known languages differ by regions to regions. In Russia, Russian as well as Siberian Yupik are widely spoken across Russian Inuit communities in Chukotka. In Alaska, English plays the primary roles for communication and daily activites, while traditional Iñupiaq palys more cultural and heritage roles with handful of native speakers.

In Canada, Inuktitut is considered as the official and co-primary languages of Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Nunavut with the other co-primary language being English. Inuvialuktun and Inuinnaqtun are also used, but not as much as Inuktitut, in Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Nunavut. In Nunavik (Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (Labrador), Inuktitut and English are used as the primary languages, while French might be also spoken in parts of Nunavik (Quebec).

In Greenland, lastly, Kalaallisut (Greenlandic), Danish, and English are all commonly spoken throughout the all parts of the territory though vary in frequencies and predominance.