Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous
peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia
(Russia), across Alaska (United States), Canada, and Greenland.
There
are two main groups that are referred to as Eskimo: Yupik and Inuit.
A third group, the Aleut, is
related. The Yupik language dialects and cultures in Alaska and eastern
Siberia have evolved in place beginning with the original Eskimo culture that
developed in Alaska. Approximately 4,000 years ago the Unangam (also
known as Aleut) culture became distinctly separate, and evolved into a
non-Eskimo culture. Approximately 1,500–2,000 years ago, apparently in
Northwestern Alaska, two other distinct variations appeared. The Inuit language
branch became distinct and in only several hundred years spread across northern
Alaska, Canada and into Greenland.
The earliest
known Eskimo cultures date to 5,000 years ago. Today, the two main groups of
Eskimos are the Inuit of northern Alaska, Canada and Greenland, and the Yupik
of Central Alaska.
The
term Eskimo is commonly used by those in the lower 48 to include both Yupik
and Inupiat, but Inuit is accepted as a collective term or even
specifically used for Inupiat by Alaskan natives. No universal term
other than Eskimo, inclusive of all Inuit and Yupik people, exists for the
Inuit and Yupik peoples. In Canada and Greenland, the term Eskimo has
fallen out of favour, as it is sometimes considered pejorative and has been
replaced by the term Inuit. The Canadian Constitution Act of 1982, section
25 and 35, recognized the Inuit as a distinctive group of aboriginal
peoples in Canada.
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