Inuit are often depicted as living in igloos and traveling on dogsleds. Today the people in the North participate in a mix of traditional activities and modern activities. The economies of northern communities rely on resource-based industries such as mining, oil and gas, fishing, and increasingly, tourism. Many Aboriginal people in the North also participate in subsistence activities such as hunting, fishing, and trapping for food, and materials instead of buying them at the store.

People in the North don’t always have access to the same food that people in southern regions do. People in northern communities often eat Country Food, or food that comes from the surrounding land. Country Food includes caribou, fish, berries, geese, ptarmigan and the blubber from whales. In recent years contaminants in the food chain have led to concerns about the safety about eating Country Food.

Traditional Inuit and Dene games are popular in northern communities. Other sports and activities include cross country skiing, snowboarding, hockey, badminton, basketball, curling, dog mushing, and more. Drum dancing takes place at special events in northern communities. Singing and throat singing tell important stories that have been passed down through many generations.

Can you figure out how these Northern games are played? Research one game and present it to your classmates. One and two-foot high kick Alaskan high kick, kneel jump Head pull Knuckle hop Finger pull Hand games Snow snake Stick pull Pole push

Most people in northern communities live in houses that are similar to those in other parts of Canada. It is more difficult to build houses in the North because of the layer of permafrost, or permanently frozen land.

Years ago, people living in Canada’s North lived in traditional shelters such as igloos and teepees. Igloos were used in the winter and were built using snow. Teepees were needed in the summer when the snow melted.

Traditionally, people in Canada’s North got around by foot, boat or dogsled. Now planes, snowmobiles, and where there are roads, cars and trucks, are more common.

Snowshoes are very useful if you are walking long distances in deep snow. They are designed to help you walk on top of the snow which is faster and less tiring.

Canoes and kayaks were commonly used to fish. Now motorized boats are more common.

Some people in the North still use dogsleds for transportation. Dogs are tied with harnesses to a sled so that they can pull people and supplies. The person that drives a dogsled is called a musher.