Folks Dressed Up Like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe helps to make the season bright, but not many people know how Eskimos dress.

Eskimos (in Canada, at least) generally prefer to be referred to as Inuit, which means "people" in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit. Inuit have a variety of modes of dress.

This website shows you the diversity of Inuit style, so you can visualize it better, when you hear the song during this Christmas season.

Let's challenge the stereotypes! Email me your pictures at folksdresseduplikeeskimos@gmail.com

Nakurmiik!!

Joseph Flowers, Inuk from Nunatsiavut and Nunavik
!!! HAPPY-NEW-YEAR/HAPPY-NEW-INFANT !!!  Happy New Year! With the start of a new year, I present you with a new Eskimo. Here’s a picture of Noah, who is my friend Daniel’s and his wife Ashley’s brand new son, born in late 2012. 2013 will be a big year for this kid. First words, first steps, first solid food, first birthday, first lots-of-things. Daniel’s mom and my mom grew up next to each other. Daniel and I met in Vancouver in 2010 for the first time, and we did not realize at the time that our mothers were childhood friends. We became good friends, and only made the connection about a year ago.  Daniel describes Noah’s outfit as follows: “He was wearing Baby Gap pants and sweater, and a hand knitted wool hat.”

!!! HAPPY-NEW-YEAR/HAPPY-NEW-INFANT !!! 

Happy New Year! With the start of a new year, I present you with a new Eskimo. Here’s a picture of Noah, who is my friend Daniel’s and his wife Ashley’s brand new son, born in late 2012. 2013 will be a big year for this kid. First words, first steps, first solid food, first birthday, first lots-of-things.

Daniel’s mom and my mom grew up next to each other. Daniel and I met in Vancouver in 2010 for the first time, and we did not realize at the time that our mothers were childhood friends. We became good friends, and only made the connection about a year ago. 

Daniel describes Noah’s outfit as follows: “He was wearing Baby Gap pants and sweater, and a hand knitted wool hat.”

!!! TRIPLE CHILD-ESKIMO CUTE OVERLOAD !!! ZOMG !!! I received this photo from Madeleine and Kirt. This is their three children Naja, Noah, and Jayko. Madeleine tells me that they are “playing in the mud at low tide in Iqaluit. They are dressed in parkas, rubber boots, and pajama pants.”

!!! TRIPLE CHILD-ESKIMO CUTE OVERLOAD !!! ZOMG !!!

I received this photo from Madeleine and Kirt. This is their three children Naja, Noah, and Jayko. Madeleine tells me that they are “playing in the mud at low tide in Iqaluit. They are dressed in parkas, rubber boots, and pajama pants.”

This is my friend Sarabeth. I first met her through friends at the Harvest Noir in Ottawa, in October of 2012. It was a rainy and miserable day and we had a picnic in the rain. The company was great.  Sarabeth describes her outfit below: “I’m wearing a lululemon hoodie to keep the mosquitos out of my ears, a Rama Lotus t-shirt (yoga teacher represent), Levi’s jeans and I’m not sure what the brand of hiking boots is. On my right hand, you can see my Dalhousie grad ring, and a silver knot bracelet.”

This is my friend Sarabeth. I first met her through friends at the Harvest Noir in Ottawa, in October of 2012. It was a rainy and miserable day and we had a picnic in the rain. The company was great. 

Sarabeth describes her outfit below:
“I’m wearing a lululemon hoodie to keep the mosquitos out of my ears, a Rama Lotus t-shirt (yoga teacher represent), Levi’s jeans and I’m not sure what the brand of hiking boots is. On my right hand, you can see my Dalhousie grad ring, and a silver knot bracelet.”
Dulcie sent this photo, and I got permission from her sister and mom to use the photo. Dulcie described the photo as follows: “My sister Cora and Mom in Florida Turkey Trot this year. Brought some ‘home’ away from ‘home.’ Best wishes from the warmest Eskimo!” It was taken in Clearwater, Florida. Melda (Dulcie’s mom) said: “I am a proud FULL Blood Inuit.. and want the world to know my families heritage.” I think this photo is wonderful. Thank you, Dulcie, Melda, and Cora for sending in this excellent shot. 

Dulcie sent this photo, and I got permission from her sister and mom to use the photo. Dulcie described the photo as follows: “My sister Cora and Mom in Florida Turkey Trot this year. Brought some ‘home’ away from ‘home.’ Best wishes from the warmest Eskimo!”

It was taken in Clearwater, Florida. Melda (Dulcie’s mom) said: “I am a proud FULL Blood Inuit.. and want the world to know my families heritage.”

I think this photo is wonderful. Thank you, Dulcie, Melda, and Cora for sending in this excellent shot. 

!!! CHILD ESKIMO CUTE JOKER !!! Here’s a shot of my cousin Tommy. He is wearing a t-shirt and a scarf, probably purchased at Frenchys. 

!!! CHILD ESKIMO CUTE JOKER !!!

Here’s a shot of my cousin Tommy. He is wearing a t-shirt and a scarf, probably purchased at Frenchys. 

Here’s a shot of my friend Kim in Ivujivik, Nunavik, Northern Quebec. Here she wears a Canada Goose parka, a knitted turquoise hat, and a flower patterned scarf.

Here’s a shot of my friend Kim in Ivujivik, Nunavik, Northern Quebec. Here she wears a Canada Goose parka, a knitted turquoise hat, and a flower patterned scarf.


Merry Christmas. Have you dressed up like Eskimos on this special day?

This is a couple of photos of me and my Dad. He’s standing in front of a statue of Guy Lafleur, who was one of the greatest hockey players of his generation, and indeed, one of the best of all time. I grew up watching my Dad watch hockey, and I eventually gained an appreciation for it, too. I remember the playoffs of 1986 when Patrick Roy starred in net for the Canadians as they took home the cup playing against Calgary. 

Dad and I have been to several Canadiens games together. He tells me that growing up as a young Inuk on the Northern Labrador coast, the Montreal Forum was like a holy land. I grew up to develop the same sense of reverence for the Montreal Canadiens and their arena. 

During the 100th anniversary celebration of the Montreal team, the team built a centennial plaza, which included this statue of Guy Lafleur. My sister and I bought Dad a commemorative brick that was laid in the centrepiece of the plaza. It says “W.H. Flowers Labradorian Fan Since 1951”

Dad and I with my Uncle Tom and my brother Jesse, have shared the pleasure of watching the Canadiens play in the Montreal Forum in 1990, when we saw them play a three game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings, the Hartford Whalers and the New York Islanders. Dad and I later saw the Canadiens play a game in the Molson Centre (as it was called then) against the New York Rangers. These are good memories, sacred memories, that I carry with me. It is a good feeling, indeed a gift, to recall these exciting times on the special day we call Christmas.

This photo was taken in June of 2012, when my dad came to Montreal to attend my graduation from McGill Law school. We have good memories of that time.

Dad wears a Nautica shirt in this photo with Walking Shorts by Eddie Bauer and old fashioned sneakers, which some people call high tops. He says the sunglasses are made by an Italian company. 

I am wearing a Makivik Corporation Hat with a beaded pin which I made while visiting the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawa:ke. I also wear a t-shirt from Le Club Chasse et Peche in Montreal, my Lacoste Glasses, my wedding ring which I got from a jeweler named Maude Lapierre in Montreal, my UNIQLO windproof jeans which, if you follow this blog closely, you’ll recall I purchased in NYC last Christmas season, and I am also carrying my lululemon zip-up top. 

There’s also a picture of the brick which my sister and I bought for Dad.

Here is a picture of a friend of mine named Pujjuut with his cousin Kandace. They describe their clothing as a “traditional Inuit Siamese style outfit”

Here is a picture of a friend of mine named Pujjuut with his cousin Kandace. They describe their clothing as a “traditional Inuit Siamese style outfit”

Tanya sent me this photo for the blog. She said the photo is by Chris King, and in the photo, she is wearing a seal skin coat and a wool knitted cat hat. 

Tanya sent me this photo for the blog. She said the photo is by Chris King, and in the photo, she is wearing a seal skin coat and a wool knitted cat hat.