Historical Dictionary of the Inuit

by Pamela R. Stern

Overview

The Inuit do not represent a very large population, only 160,000 or so, spread over a very large portion of the Arctic region and located in four different countries. Although they are a “people,” there are many variations from one group to the next, and any study of them must consider both similarities and differences. The Historical Dictionary of the Inuit introduces us to the Inuit as they actually are and not as they have been traditionally pictured and some would still like to see them—looking after their traditional chores and engaged in time-honored practices—but rather as a modern people trying to shape their worlds in their own interest.

This second edition includes an updated chronology, as well as an introduction to provide a broader view of who the Inuit are, where they live, and what they do. But it is the dictionary section that is most interesting, with many new informative entries on persons, places, events, and institutions, shedding light not only on the culture but also on the society, economy, and politics. For those seeking further information, there is a considerably expanded bibliography. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Inuit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810879126
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/26/2013
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Peoples and Cultures
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	290
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Pamela R. Stern is an adjunct professor of anthropology at Simon Fraser University in Canada. She has been studying the Inuit for three decades already and, during this time, she has visited many Inuit communities in Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Her own research is rather varied ranging from adolescent life, employment and resource development to citizenship. It has resulted in numerous articles and several books, the most recent being Daily Life of the Inuit.

Table of Contents

1 Editor's Foreword 2 Acknowledgments 3 A Note on Orthography 4 Acronyms and Special Terms 5 Maps 6 Chronology 7 Introduction 8 The Dictionary 9 Appendix A: Dates and Locations of Inuit Circumpolar Conference Meetings 10 Appendix B: Inuit Circumpolar Conference Leaders 11 Appendix C: Website Addresses for Inuit and Arctic Organizations 12 Bibliography 13 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

The second edition of this reference book covers the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit of many Arctic countries. Stern, an anthropologist specializing in Arctic peoples, focuses on the recent cultural and political life of the Inuit. Included is information on Inuit interaction with the dominant culture and government, self-determination, political activism, globalization, hydrocarbon development, climate change, and more. The author provides entries for individual people who have made important contributions to Inuit social and political life and education and for many government agencies and social organizations that influence that life. Stern also supplies a list of acronyms and special terms used in the book, simple maps of the geographic areas the Inuit inhabit, and a chronology of major events in Inuit history around the globe. The book has expanded its content from the first edition. . . . The volume is a must for libraries building significant Arctic collections Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.” —Choice Reviews

“For those interested in studying the Inuit—in learning more about their history, their culture, and their contemporary people, lives, and issues—this is the basic reference that should be in their library. In this small, revised volume users will find an overview and more than 450 entries that address the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit. Special emphasis is given to the recent history of Inuit communities. This new edition has and updated chronology and the introduction provides a broader scope of the lives of the Inuit people.” —American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher

The second edition of this reference book covers the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit of many Arctic countries. Stern, an anthropologist specializing in Arctic peoples, focuses on the recent cultural and political life of the Inuit. Included is information on Inuit interaction with the dominant culture and government, self-determination, political activism, globalization, hydrocarbon development, climate change, and more. The author provides entries for individual people who have made important contributions to Inuit social and political life and education and for many government agencies and social organizations that influence that life. Stern also supplies a list of acronyms and special terms used in the book, simple maps of the geographic areas the Inuit inhabit, and a chronology of major events in Inuit history around the globe. The book has expanded its content from the first edition.. .. The volume is a must for libraries building significant Arctic collections Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice Reviews

For those interested in studying the Inuit—in learning more about their history, their culture, and their contemporary people, lives, and issues—this is the basic reference that should be in their library. In this small, revised volume users will find an overview and more than 450 entries that address the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit. Special emphasis is given to the recent history of Inuit communities. This new edition has and updated chronology and the introduction provides a broader scope of the lives of the Inuit people.

American Reference Books Annual

The second edition of this reference book covers the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit of many Arctic countries. Stern, an anthropologist specializing in Arctic peoples, focuses on the recent cultural and political life of the Inuit. Included is information on Inuit interaction with the dominant culture and government, self-determination, political activism, globalization, hydrocarbon development, climate change, and more. The author provides entries for individual people who have made important contributions to Inuit social and political life and education and for many government agencies and social organizations that influence that life. Stern also supplies a list of acronyms and special terms used in the book, simple maps of the geographic areas the Inuit inhabit, and a chronology of major events in Inuit history around the globe. The book has expanded its content from the first edition.. .. The volume is a must for libraries building significant Arctic collections Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

Choice

The second edition of this reference book covers the social, political, and economic history of the Inuit of many Arctic countries. Stern, an anthropologist specializing in Arctic peoples, focuses on the recent cultural and political life of the Inuit. Included is information on Inuit interaction with the dominant culture and government, self-determination, political activism, globalization, hydrocarbon development, climate change, and more. The author provides entries for individual people who have made important contributions to Inuit social and political life and education and for many government agencies and social organizations that influence that life. Stern also supplies a list of acronyms and special terms used in the book, simple maps of the geographic areas the Inuit inhabit, and a chronology of major events in Inuit history around the globe. The book has expanded its content from the first edition. . . . The volume is a must for libraries building significant Arctic collections Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.

CHOICE

...examines the history of the Inuit, their differences and similarities in history, contact with other cultures, language, perceptions of sovereignty, and attitudes about their own ethnic and cultural identity. The dictionary section includes people, terms, organizations, and projects associated with Inuit culture and history.

Reference and Research Book News