skydog inuksuit

Inuksuit are Inuit art form, place marker, story markers. The Inuksuit serve as both a marker for important sites and as a signpost on a trail through the High Arctic regions. The mysterious stone figures known as inuksuit (plural; singular Inuksuk) can be found throughout the circumpolar world. Built from whatever stones are at hand, each one is unique. Inuksuit are among the oldest and most important objects placed by humans upon the vast Arctic landscape and have become a familiar symbol of the Inuit and of their homeland.

Each Inuksuk is individual and different. Inuksuit are a nuanced, complex and vital form of communication. Some are navigational or directional aids, offer hunting information, or indicate caches of food or supplies. Some are practical "helpers" that once assisted in hunting caribou or luring geese. Other stone structures that look very much like inuksuit were objects of veneration, indicating places of power or the abode of spirits.

Although most inuksuit appear singly, sometimes they are arranged in sequences spanning great distances or are grouped to mark a specific place. Others define the ghostly geography of the spiritual landscape. Inuksuit can be worked on flat or curved bone, giving each a totally different appearance. These statues were worked on flat bone This Inuksuk was put on a piece of bone that was bent and angled at one side. The Inuksuk is worked in such a way that the shadow of the stones fall on the surface of the bone that is angled backwards.

In our travels we have come across many stone structures depicting figures of humans pointing the way to paths and other points of interest so now as we travel we sometimes take time to build figures of our own liking. In 2006 we traveled to Manitoulin Island and along the North Channel and then to Sault Ste Marie leaving our mark as we go only to realize that these stone structures will likely be toppled by water, wind or by other humans. Usually while we visit Kettle Point, Ontario, Canada, I will spend time collecting interesting rocks and assembling them into my own figures. I find that this is a great pastime which our family and friends also enjoy. We only do this as a hobby and do hope that you will enjoy our photos. If you have any comments or would like share a photo of your sightings, Please send to info@skydogsports.com