The early Eskimos settled in the forest and tundra parts of northern and western Alaska. The Eskimos learned how to survive in this cold icy place that was frozen for most of the year. Some of the Eskimos lived in the southwestern part of Alaska. In the southwestern region the weather was warmer and wetter.

In Alaska there are three Eskimo groups. They are called the Yupik, Inupiat and Siberian Yupik.

A lot of the Eskimo families lived, and still live, on the flat tundra coast. The ocean gives them all the food they ever need. The ocean provided transportation with the use of umiaks and kayaks. You probably already know what a kayak is and are wondering what an umiak is. An umiak is a boat that is covered with an animal skin, like a walrus skin.

These Eskimos hunt whales, polar bears, seals and walruses for basic food. They also fish and get a lot of other foods from the sea.

Some of the other Yupik and Inupiat families live inland along rivers and forests. They get food by hunting moose and caribou. They fish in the rivers too.

The Eskimos also ate bird eggs, roots and berries. These Eskimos walked when they weren't traveling over water. They used a boat when they were traveling over water.

Many myths about Eskimos have been told. Eskimos did not and do not live in igloos. If it was an emergency, Eskimos did build snow houses or igloos. In the early days Eskimos dug underground homes to keep the cold out. Now they live in ordinary houses just like you and me.

Photo by John Wensley

To heat and light their houses Eskimos used seal oil lamps. When the warmer weather came and fish started flowing, most Eskimos moved to fish camps.

In an Eskimo family everybody has a job to do. Eskimo men were the ones that provided the food. They did most of the hunting and fishing. Eskimo women took care of the food once the men brought it home. They cooked what the men hunted. The women also gathered foods such as plants and berries. Eskimo children learn these skills by watching their parents so they'd know what to do when they grew up. The Eskimos did take time to have celebrations.

Photo by John Wensley

The Eskimos are like you and I and liked to tell stories about their world. These stories helped children to learn about their history and their ancestors. They also learned about sharing and caring for other people through stories, celebrations and legends.

Since the weather where they lived was so harsh the Eskimos counted time by seasons, and what was happening around them. We hope you enjoy our site about Eskimos!