The northern edge of North America from Alaska to Greenland is inhabited by numerous peoples known collectively as 'Eskimos'. The 'First Nation' in Alaska refer to themselves as Alutiiq (Aleuts), Yup'ik and Inupiaq, while the peoples in Canada and Greenland prefer the term Inuit.

The extreme arctic climate demanded a high level of adaptability and technical ingenuity to make life in the cold surroundings possible. Items invented by these peoples include clothing made of seal or caribou skin, waterproof outer garments made from entrails (anoraks), the leather-covered, watertight canoe and the harpoon, the chief hunting weapon.

Man's jacket made of caribou skin
Central Eskimos (Inuit) of Canada. Collected by Captain Corner