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Canada: Music of the Inuit: The Copper Eskimo Tradition

Various Artists
Canada: Music of the Inuit: The Copper Eskimo Tradition

The Inuit of the Canadian Northwest Territories follow two seasonal social patterns: hunting with families in the summer, and gathering for trade and intense spiritual activities with large communities in the winter. Traditionally, when these groups reunited at the start of the long, dark winter, they exchanged songs. Each person is believed to be a composer and performer; each song is a gift to be reciprocated, and the sharing of songs and dances was a way to strengthen the social fabric. Many songs on this album are about hunting, but it was forbidden to exchange songs while hunting, or even while outdoors. The Inuit believed that under an open sky, “a spirit could steal the words and by seizing the breath of the singer, rob him of his life.”

*Content Advisory: The Indigenous peoples of the Arctic identify as Inuit or Yup’ik in both personal and international matters. Individuals also refer to themselves with the names of their communities. “Eskimo” is a name imposed on the Inuit by non-Indigenous people and has increasingly come to be viewed as a slur. Smithsonian Folkways has chosen to leave the album as published in its original state to serve as a historical document; however, we encourage the listener to learn more about how the Inuit and Yup’ik prefer to be represented. Please see the Declaration of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Resolution and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Native Language Center for more information.
- Anna Kate Cannon, 2021–22 Dumbarton Oaks Fellow at SFR, contributed to research and writing for this statement.
For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

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101
Jean Oqhena, Frank Kuptana
08:18
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102
Frank Kuptana
06:10
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103
Jimmy Memorana
01:01
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104
Jimmy Memorana
01:09
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105
Jimmy Memorana
00:39
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106
Jimmy Memorana
00:50
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107
The Mackenzie Delta Drummers and Dancers
01:07
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108
The Mackenzie Delta Drummers and Dancers
01:02
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109
William Qagyun, Frank Kuptana
05:29
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110
Jimmy Memorana
00:52
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111
Jimmy Memorana
00:43
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112
Jimmy Memorana
00:54
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113
Jean Oqhena
04:09
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114
Agnes Nanogak
00:40
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115
Agnes Nanogak
00:56
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116
Jean Oqhena, William Qagyun
03:28