Overview
The Inuit, part of the Indians of North America series, presents a fascinating portrayal of the history and culture of these native people. The Inuit, commonly known as the Eskimo, have survived for thousands of years in the frigid Arctic region from the Pacific coast of Alaska to the west coast of Greenland. Since their first encounter with European sailors in the 16th century, the Inuit have enjoyed generally friendly relations with whites. By the late 1800s, the Inuit had to contend with changes brought about by outside contact, and struggled to maintain control of their lives. However, in the past few decades they have adopted various strategies to preserve their culture. Today, the Inuit continue to demonstrate the intelligence and resilience that have sustained them through many difficult times.