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2.5.1.wavEskimo is a common word most readers are familiar with. However, the use of Eskimo is controversial and considered unacceptable by some Alaskan Natives. So, it is important to understand what Eskimo refers to and discuss its appropriateness.
The Inupiaq, Yupik, and Alutiiq Native groups covered in this chapter have often been collectively called "Eskimos." They all share common ancestors who migrated to Alaska 5,000 to 8,000 years ago and spread along the coast. These peoples settled the coastline from Kodiak Island and Prince William Sound in southern Alaska, all the way to Greenland and the Atlantic Ocean (blue territory on map).
The origin of the word Eskimo is uncertain. The leading theory is that it comes from Algonquian, a language spoken by Native Americans in Northern Canada and parts of the United States. A common interpretation of its meaning has been "eaters of raw meat," although more recent linguistic findings suggest it means "one who laces snowshoes." Some Alaskan Natives consider it a derogatory term given by outsiders. Other Alaskan Natives use the term to describe themselves and self-identify as Eskimo. It is currently used by linguists to denote the Eskimo language group, which includes the dialects of Inupiaq, Yupik, and Alutiiq.
Alaska Natives increasingly prefer to be known by the names they use for themselves in their languages. This textbook edition primarily uses the indigenous names of Inupiaq, Yupik, and Alutiiq. The term Eskimo has been kept in limited places to refer to the collective Inupiaq, Yupik, and Alutiiq peoples because no alternative term identifies their common heritage and culture. Recognizing this shared history and cultural origins is historically meaningful, especially in looking at the history and culture of the incredibly diverse Alaskan Native peoples.
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