What is an Inukshuk?
Now the People will know we were here
I especially like the Inukshuk, as a Canadian symbol. Though, it is still fairly new to popular culture the Inukshuk (the plural form is inuksuit) is an old idea which began with the Canadian native Peoples in the far north.
The explanation I have always liked best is that it shows someone else was here before you. In the far north where there really is snow about half the year and people do still hunt for food, explore and get lost. The Inukshuk meant you were not alone. Someone had been there before you and you might be closer to finding other people than you think. It wasn't a homecoming beacon, but it meant you were not alone in the world no matter how far you got in distance.
Every Inukshuk is unique. Made from stones and rocks carefully stacked in order to stand, and remain standing, for (hopefully) generations in the figure of a person. The Inukshuk can be seen in the Canadian Arctic, traditionally.
As they have grown to become popular as a cultural symbol, Inuksuit are appearing all over Canada now. An Inukshuk was used to represent Canada at the Vancouver Olympics. If you drive north in Ontario you can see Inuksuit created everywhere along the highways where there are rocks from the Canadian Shield.
The ancient Inuksuit were created as help with navigation and messages to fellow travellers, hunters and those who may be exploring or lost.
This Inukshuk image (in the photo) is from the latest reusable cloth bag at the PC chain of grocery stores here in Ontario. You can see how well the Inukshuk has become a part of the Canadian culture.
Spelling Inukshuk
There are variations in the spelling of Inukshuk.
Inuksuit - is the plural form - when you are talking about a few Inuksuit.
Inuksuk - is another way I have seen Inukshuk spelled. I don't know if this is just a cultural thing in some areas but overall the spelling is Inukshuk
inukshuk - With or without a capital letter? I don't know what the proper form is. I've seen it both ways.
Inukshuk is still a new part of Canadian culture. There are some details to be ironed out.