An Inuksuk garden statue Home Depot was selling for $99 in stores and online is no longer available for purchase after an Inuk customer raised concerns. (Photo courtesy of Josh Pamak/Facebook)
Home Depot pulls Inuksuk garden statue over cultural appropriation concerns
Inuk shopper urged corporation to work with Indigenous artists and businesses
Home Depot is removing an Inuksuk garden ornament from its store shelves after an Inuk customer raised concerns that the product appropriated Inuit culture.
Josh Pamak, who is originally from Nain in Nunatsiavut but now lives in Halifax, said he saw the item while he was shopping for gardening supplies.
The product was labelled as an “Inukshuk,” measuring 69 centimetres tall and with a $99 price tag. Edmonton garden decoration company Angelo Décor is listed as the manufacturer.
Pamak said his first reaction on seeing the product was that he thought it was neat. But after some thought, he had a change of heart.
“It’s a bit disheartening to see a major corporation like Home Depot selling something like an Inuksuk that comes from Indigenous cultures, when obviously the corporation’s from outside of those cultures,” he said in an interview Friday.
“In my opinion, [Home Depot] doesn’t really have a place to be making profit off of marginalized cultures in Canada or the rest of North America.”
Pamak wrote to the company outlining his concerns about the product, saying it disrespects the spiritual and historical importance of the Inuksuk to Inuit.
The Inuksuk, which roughly translates to “in the likeness of a human,” is a prevalent symbol of Inuit culture. Traditionally, the stone figures are used to guide travellers, warn of dangers and identify hunting areas. They can also be used to mark places of reverence.
Pamak asked Home Depot to stop selling the product, and that the corporation look for ways to engage in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous people by instead selling works made by real artisans.
Within days, Pamak’s concern was heard.
Home Depot contacted him on Monday to say it will remove the product. The link to the product’s page on Home Depot’s online store is now broken.
In an emailed statement to Nunatsiaq News, Home Depot Canada said it conducted an internal review once the company received concerns.
“As a result, we have made the decision to remove this product from our stores and website,” the statement said. “We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture and value customer feedback on all matters.”
Pamak posted on Facebook Monday to say he was happy to see that his concern was heard.
“I don’t think it’s wrong for Home Depot to be selling products like the Inuksuk, but I would like for them to purchase those products from an Inuit company,” he said.
“And any other Indigenous works that they want to sell, I would hope that they were buying them from Indigenous partners rather than getting them mass produced at a factory in some unknown area.”
Seriously? I had a little chuckle when I saw this on Facebook.
We did it guys! Colonialism is almost over, now do dreamcatchers, moccasins, kayaks, hammocks, canoes, tomatoes, lacrosse and things made from corn! And don’t forget about the stolen dog breeds too! Settlers should have European dogs only.
I assume everyone complaining of the Inuit customer’s concern has taken some formal truth and reconciliation courses? If you do, you will realize the power of these symbols and that nothing like this should be taken lightly or sold through a corporation that hasn’t taken the steps to educate its staff and changed policy to reflect cultural sensitivity. I thought the customers ideas of having the Inuit be consulted first was a great idea. We are not talking about all the other cultural issues mentioned above here. We’ll get to those in time. We are talking about respecting this item and it’s origins.
As an Inuk man born in Iqaluit to a residential school survivor I really don’t think I need to be lectured by you about anything of the sort.
“all the other cultural issues mentioned above here. We’ll get to those in time”
Lol. Gonna get to tomatoes eventually are ya? I will wait with baited breath.
I love that this person called themselves an ‘Educator’ in order the flex status and authority. Classic.
Religious artifacts of all religions should be respected – and thats all we are asking- but maybe that’s too much for people who have no respect for ANYTHING
Who is this “we” that you claim to speak for?
You mustn’t mean Inuit seen as I am Inuk. So whom exactly are you putting words in the mouth of?
What a crock. This kind of thinking is what separates people but I guess that’s what they want. I’m NOT giving up my suede jacket in case that’s the next thing
Walmart and Home Hardware are selling these too!?
https://www.google.com/search?q=inukshuk&rlz=1C1GCEB_enCA1003CA1003&sxsrf=APwXEdcHFN4kkx3V74I-StjqrbgJyiGagg:1686153846484&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjXqLnIxLH_AhVejYkEHUvqD9EQ_AUoBHoECAUQBg&biw=1920&bih=937&dpr=1&safe=active&ssui=on
The inukshuk is no longer merely an Inuit symbol, it is used all over the country by people of all ethnicities and has become something of a general ‘Canadian’ symbol.
He’d have as much luck complaining about the popularity of Finnish saunas or Inuit making and selling pizza.
His opinion is flawed.
I think square dancing has been borrowed by the north. I think it is about time square dancing is stopped in the north.
I agree square dancing is so colonial and annoying to watch. Bring back real traditional drum dancing.
Drum dancing is ever boring
Drug dancing only fits with non alcohol drinks like tea, piece of bannock too. Get rid of non traditional drinks, starting with beer. Plus watch how tea affects you and compare your life events.
If you read the article Inukshuit are not just symbols, some have strong spiritual significant, also they will used by families to mark their area and to show they were there. If you go out on the land you will see all kinds of inukshuit with very different meanings and these garden ornaments just cheapens everything. Other cultures may not take their symbols seriously but when our culture was under threat we held on to them and didn’t give up. We had to go underground with everything else and Inukshut is a strong symbol for Inuit.
All cultures, or at least many people from all cultures, take their cultures and cultural symbols seriously and are offended or annoyed when cheap copies of them are made or they are misused. Some individuals, everywhere, from all cultures, are more driven by economic gain, however. The rest of your points are totally sensible imo.
So from what I’m reading here is…….
The inuit, Asians and Africans shouldn’t use the English language as its “cultural” appropriation. Blacks should not wear braids as its a Dutch thing. St Patrick day should not be celebrated as it an Irish thing.
The actions of the west are a direct example of shallow thinking By simple minded people
Have you never heard the residential schools and what they did to the Inuit….? I’m sure I can relay some of my grandfathers stories about how he was taken from his home at 6 years old and forced to speak and understand English, even though it wasn’t his native language. He was beaten over and over again and had life-long physical and mental scars from being expected to speak English but not knowing how (and for other things as well, you just brought up how Inuit speaking English is appropriation). If you’d like go back in time and change history so we can speak our language forever, that would be great! 🙂
Ya, so can I.
What does that have to do with a cheap lawn ornament?
Case in point, a Inukshuk that has a lot of meaning and importance made into a cheap lawn ornament for southerners, if you can’t see the issue here you have been colonized very well.
I’m thinking nothing preventing you from learning your traditional language – other than you
The Inuksuk was replaced by alcohol for too many. You go out on the land today and it’s drunk hunters and campers. I’m talking about those that don’t represent anything good for Inuit culture. Those low life that ruin the Inuit name. Those who complain about being colonized to the point that they don’t live and try to continue the cycle into their young.
The degree to which a symbolic item has been successfully culturally appropriated does not speak to whether it was right or wrong to do so.
The Inukshuk as depicted is a cultural icon, not a utilitarian item or invention so it needs to be treated differently than a pizza, or a sauna.
The Vancouver Winter Olympics used an Inukshuk as a symbol. In order to do so, they worked with Inuit to depict it, and even had Inuit involved in erecting a real Inukshuk at the Olympic village.
Home Depot and their supplier did none of these things and rightly pulled the item for sale. There is no reason to feel that Inuit complaining about these things is a matter of “too little, too late”.
A bit of effort and thought is all that is needed.
Sometimes you should really just take the win that Home Depot is trying to give you; Cultural Representation. Will you be going after Canadian Tire next for selling Kayaks?
I would not be surprised if Buddha figures are made in china. If you a living in Nunavut and not just a temporary visitor, I would encourage you to open your eyes. A lot of artists in Nunavut would be able to benefit from a company like Home Depot selling their art work. Mass production dilutes the value of actual Inuit art.
My carvings from Inuit artists belong in galleries. These are meant as garden ornaments. They are not comparable.
Chinese people are not all bhuddist. Your xenophobia is showing.
Go to Alaska and visit a gift shop. You will see ulu’s , dreamcatchers , carvings , even inukshuks all made in China , and it doesn’t seen like anybody cares. More important things in life to worry about . Why do Canadians try and be offended by everything ?
Those Alaskans are colonized very well, they’ve lost so much including their language, we don’t want to be like that here in Canada.
Yes. Here we would like to keep what little bit of culture we’re allowed to have
Give your head a shake Why Does This Bother You? Why would Home Depot (or any other large retailer for that matter) who profits through high volume sales go through the hassle of negotiating with individual creators to sell a small number of very expensive works of art when they can get a cheap knock-off made in China?
I would like to express my disappointment over Home Depot’s decision to remove the Inuksuk garden statue from their stores, based on a single complaint. While it is admirable that the company has shown sensitivity to the concerns raised, I believe it’s essential that such decisions take into account a wider range of voices and perspectives. It remains unclear whether Inuit were involved in the design or production of the statue with Angelo Décor, which could significantly alter the narrative of cultural appropriation versus cultural exchange.
The notion of offense is highly subjective and varies greatly among individuals. While companies should strive to act responsibly and avoid causing unnecessary offense, it’s also important to balance this with the freedom of expression and the diverse tastes and preferences of their customer base. I believe that a more nuanced approach, possibly including promoting Inuit artistry or providing educational materials about the cultural significance of the Inuksuk, could have been a better solution, fostering cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.
Is everyone that owns an Inukshuk
Showing disrespect?
There is a large stone in Rankin
Maybe they should remove that
I have one of these in my backyard and have no intention of getting rid of it. It matches my interlocking brick patio which is why I bought. It is a shame that one person’s sensitivity is being listen to in this case.
I love how ignorant you are and sensitivity, well that was over 60 years of our culture being repressed and all of sudden it’s hip to have an inuskuk or any other symbol that you don’t have a total grasp or understanding off. Love the way you don’t have a a culture so you have to use another to develop your personality.
Imagine if Irish people got offended when a non-irish person decided to celebrate st patricks day. All those greedy bars and green tshirt companies capitalizing off of the Irish.
Or what about lacrosse? Native American sport played worldwide. Is that disrespectful? Where do we draw the line or do we just draw it wherever?
Passing through kuujjuaq, there’s a big Inuksuk near the kuujjuaq inn. Does anyone know who made the one there? Some talk about a group on Quebec City students constructed that one, but does anyone know to tell that?
Supposedly the one overlooking Igloolik is in the shape of “murder/suicide.” I have heard this from multiple Inuit, but a few have said it’s not. It would be nice if people could learn about the Inukshuks instead of being told it’s cultural, and not for you.
Awareness breeds cultural sensitivity. Since you refuse to tell people the meanings that Inukshuks have people think they are meaningless.
Today on woke cancel, now these cultural appropriation inukshuks can go to the dump where they belong. (Sarcasm).
So we will see all seamstresses pulling their NHL parkas and poppies right?
Well, that is slightly different – the poppy was and is clearly intended to be a symbol for all Canadians to remember our war dead, it was never claimed by one cultural group.
The choice to sell such a symbol and make profit off of it is plain wrong and the seamstresses who do it rightly deserve to be criticized.
The NHL stuff? That is just plain old criminal copyright infringement.
Not quite, the poppy is trademarked by the Legion. The link below states:
The Remembrance Poppy CANNOT be used without authorization
https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/the-poppy-trademark
If they purchased the logo or took it off a jersey, they already purchased…. no problem as they purchased it and the team and NHL make money of the sale of the logo.
Now if they embordered it themselves and are selling the item for a profit, it would be considered a copy right infringement. The league and team would have a case to take the individual to court and sue for damages.
Law should be similar for indigenous items too, I would imagine if Home Depot did not remove the item from their stores, our Inuit organization would take home depot to court. That is why they removed the item immediately, they knew they were doing something wrong.
I’m not aware of any laws protecting cultural ideas or symbols, though I know it has been discussed. I would say Home Depot didn’t remove these for legal reasons, but for public perception and reputational costs.
MY GOOD, it’s a good thing no one have seen what I saw in 2008 in Calgary airport on preparation for 2010 olympique I stop at a gift shop where was many hundred inuksuk carving made in China and “created by Chinese artists “when I ask if they know what was it , they told me it was the symbol of Vancouver olympique.
Only Inuit can profit from this okay. Should we open the same topic on throat singing also? As usual with these types it is always a one way street. Identity politics and more nonsense from a guy living in Halifax. The idea that a culture owns ideas or that you own things sole because of your race is nonsensical.
Inuksuk a variant of the Cairn, used by Scottish, Irish. And other people’s .Look up Cairn. Maybe the said store would have no worries with using the Cairn. We Celtics don’t mind I’m sure. And I’m arguing for the cairn being around as long as inuksuk if not much much longer.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell pizza to people of Italian ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell chairs to people of European ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell beds to people who can show proof nobility in their ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell books to people of German ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell telephones to people of Canadian settler ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell watches to people of British ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only accept printed currency from people of Mongolian ancestry.
Today Home Depot announced that they will only sell pizza containing tomato sauce to people of mixed Italian and South American ancestry.
Nah. Just people from Latin America. No more tomato in Italy and the Indians would have to forget abput using it in their curries too.
Seriously now, the entire history of humanity is based on cross cultural exchanges whether technological, commercial, knowledge, artistic, cultural, etc. The world would be a very different place.
An Inukshuk on a lawn is not meant to be disrespectful and it can even spark interest and curiosity about Inuit culture.
As for those suggesting to bring carvings from the north, they wouldn’t sell at Home Depot. They sell in Art galleries and it’s not the same price point. What Home Depot could have done instead of pulling it out would have been to collaborate with Inuit to make an information card that would come with the Inukshuk. Use the opportunity to disseminate Inuit culture instead
To be fair to the anti-appropriation side, the term is typically applied when someone or some organization / business makes money off an item that has its origins in another culture.
Still, the slope gets slippery rather quickly. Sure, what’s the difference between an Inuksuk and a Qayak? What about music? Or, food? Or technology? If the first motorized vehicle was invented by Carl Benz, should Germans be the only one allowed to make a car? Should people of cultures who traditionally throat sang be the only ones allowed to throat sing today?
it’s not as straightforward as some tend to think. A world where people pretend to guard every item of culture they pretend they can own would be a bleak place. technologies, ideas, knowledge passes through time and should flow freely between all peoples.
That said, an Inuksuk in a Home Depot does seem a little too crass. Undoubtedly, and I agree with the poster above, there are better ways that could be done.
The problem with the ownership of cultural usage is providing proof to the ownership. Especially as these claims are made today, when people are at their weaknesses and will do anything to be recognized just to be best man at the reception. And then you get the big business, all weakened and confused about politics and rights giving into anything that threatens sales. I rather have a piece of bannock served on air Inuit flight, introduced by the Scottish back in the day, known off course it’s not an original Inuit food.
Good, about time! Seeing tacky plastic is gross. Nothing more disheartening than going to a southern store and seeing mass produced cultural items.
Canadians like to claim the inuksuk as Canadian, but they’re prejudiced against Indigenous Peoples.
“Nothing more disheartening than going to a southern store and seeing mass produced cultural items.” Well don’t go south if you don’t like what you see in the stores, stay here and don’t ever leave or shut your pie hole and go south.
Its not plastic. Its not cheap. Its made from cement. If you are going to comment on the item itself, better to be accurate in your attempt to cheapen the item.
For everyone to know Peter I, had gave this away years ago and made fair amount of $,$$$.
Yes a elder who have traveled outside of Nunavut,
Look at Ottawa on the Quebec side fair number of them up and no one is complaining or even around the other countries.
Lost in the world
Why cant other stores sell them when Dollar stores sell the Inukshuks too?
We should just be proud of our beautiful creation Inukshuks as they are all over Canada now. When you drive out in the Country roads in Ottawa you see so many even in none Inuit property, and it is nice to see because it reminds us Inuit of our Inuit land.
You should be proud indeed. I’m a Qallunaat who have an Inukshuk facing the stream in my backyard. Why? Because it reminds me of the wonderful people I’ve worked for, for nearly a decade. I bought this with all respect deserved to Inuit and from my heart. I could understand why this Inuk made this complaint about culture appropriations. I also think that when you buy it for the meaning of it, from your heart, but above all using it with deep respect, I think it’s fine to show the deepest appreciation. It was my goal when I bought it.
People are concerned , not about the wrong things in life, but there are more important things firstly to be concerned about. Yes, concerned about the Inuksuk takes the focus off some real life issues for awhile. What about concerns for social problems. Alcohol and drugs. Sexual abuse. Incredible murder rates. Lateral violence. Dependency. There are more things that are concerning, if you want to look for something to help your life and your culture. Get serious about it. Stop hiding around the superficial.
Aw man I hope they honor my online order of 12 for my front and back deck. I was hoping my landscaping would finally be finished this year.
Seriously people. This woke culture has to stop. Take the wins when we get them
Those inukshuks belong in land for locations for good fishing spots for caribou hunting for directions
This cheap lawn ornament won’t stop anyone from doing that.
What is a garden if not a wonderful place to harvest food? If I used the Inukshuk/shut/suk/etc to point people to my farmers market so they can share in my bountiful harvest of vegetable flesh, would that be an acceptable use?
Uhh…so, how much will those ornaments that are handmade by Inuit cost to ship? If they don’t cost big dollars to ship, won’t they essentially quadruple in price anyways as they aren’t being mass produced?
People will just find a cheaper or similarly priced design for their gardens, instead of representing Inuit and Canadian designs.
Congrats, guys- you managed to remove representation from yourselves.
This is so dumb, and not only that, it’s prejudice. What if white people start saying no one but whites use or sell any of all the inventions they’ve come up with? What if white people say only whites can be Catholic, Protestant, or any of the other religions they’ve come up with? Or that no one but Chinese people could use the school systems? Sounds like it would send the world completely backwards to a dangerous time.
How about we all recognize we buy things invented by different backgrounds, that are now being made and used by completely different backgrounds and stop complaining things are being “stolen” from eachother. Especially things that weren’t specific to one culture. People have been stacking stones, including in human formation, for thousands of years, all over the world. In a time where they had no idea what other cultures were doing in other parts of the world.
Well if the white people had kept their religion to themselves then maybe we wouldn’t have
to worry about cultural appropriation.
Inuit embraced Christianity, and many still do to this day. No one made them convert. Like it or not.
To argue people should have “kept things to themselves” is a simple, childish representation of what the world is like.
A Cairn used by different culture going back to ancient times. More known in Gaelic as a man made pile of stones used for markers, memorials like burial places and less travel paths for various purposes, hunting etc, and used in war times by soldiers as significant communications. The Inuksuk is a variant of the cairn , but there are many variations.
Ummmm. All y’all missed the point.
That design of Inuksuk meant either;
1. Someone was murdered there OR,
2. Someone one committed suicide there.
That one outside RCMP HQ in Iqaluit IS appropriate.
Tim, there’s always someone missing the point and , it doesn’t matter. You know why it doesn’t matter? It doesn’t matter because of the bigger picture of taking care of the importance of cultural and life with people’s behaviour doesn’t seem to matter to the people themselves. That’s why symbolism doesn’t matter. Your argument does hold up well, whether people misunderstand or not. Your respect comes via behaviour and today it not good with child neglect and alcohol and drugs.
The Inuksuk has significant meaning and is part of Inuit culture and tradition for Labrador Inuit and all Inuit across Inuit homeland. Inuit understand the meaning of an Inuksuk and use it for that purpose. Others see as a opportunity to make money and this was definitely that , cultural appropriation for profit. The Inuksuk is also protected under the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement signed between the Federal Government and Province of NL and Labrador Inuit because of it importance to Labrador Inuit. Great job son for upholding Inuit culture and educating others of the significance it holds. Huge thank you as well to Home Depot for removing it from your stores in recognition of its importance to Labrador Inuit.
Now if only we could get more sons of Labrador involved in promoting removal of the real threat to Inuit culture in stores: like booze , as by the destruction everyday of culture and people unlike anything seen anywhere on the planet.
It would be good to consult with the appropriate people about using their cultural symbol. This would be a sign of respect.
The most of the stuff I’m reading here is mostly non-Inuit who are taking advantage of their privilege and trying their best to bash those that only want to have their cultural symbol respected.
If Home Depot worked with Inuit and included an appropriate label – something like “in recognition of the Inuit, one of the first peoples of this country, and who have helped carve this country with their many sacrifices and support, we have here a symbol of their culture.”
Something along these lines would show more respect and recognition, also encouraging to purchase authentic art from Inuit would be good too.
Incredible how comfortable and privileged some of you are…
If Home Depot worked with Inuit on this there would have been a clause “Don’t forget to throw some money our way as well” I’m sure if that had happened it would have been fine to sell them
To me, a Canadian Inuk, it is not about money, but of course, for someone that doesn’t have a genuine culture and who often judges others based on their narrow view of the world, I am not surprised about this comment.
What I understand is, it is about respecting the cultural symbol and properly consulting the elected Inuit, who represent us Inuit about this subject, similar to how the Vancouver Olympic Committee did, respectfully.
I’m sure there’s more for you to judge and hide behind your privilege..
Out of curiosity, I would like to know:
Who would you propose speaks for Inuit on this matter?
When, if ever, is it OK for an Inuk to make and sell Inuksuk for their own gain?
Can the people who purchase them do whatever they please with the objects or should they use them in a particular way?
How many people would a company need to consult and get the approval from before it is Ok for it to sell Inuksuk?
How long would the educational pamphlet that comes with every Inuksuk sold need to be before it is OK, and who gets to choose its content?
Could an Inuk sell their right to the concept of a pile of rocks that resembles a human form, and could the purchaser then make this object without guilt?
Could we agree that some people see rocks stacked in a particular way as a having cultural significance and other people may enjoy stacking rocks for completely unrelated reasons, and that’s OK?
Why is it difficult to understand the request for respect and recognition? It doesn’t need to be complicated like some try to make it.
Again, it is not about money, it is about showing respect and recognition from what I understand. I’m not surprised at all about most of these condescending comments that have a very narrow, judgemental view.
It’s National Indigenous History Month by the way. It would be great to collaborate on some better relations, respect and recognition.
I’m very proud our people always had good intentions…
Who are the ‘appropriate people’ though? Do they even exist?
They do exist, they are called elected Inuit representatives who consult with the people they represent and challenge issues that need to be challenged.
Keep our spices out of your kitchens. /s
See how much fun this is?
Curry is too awesome, sorry but I can not comply
No problem with that, we aren’t trying to capitalize on your spices. We certainly respect where they come from, that’s just who we are.
We have welcomed all sorts of cultures into our country, but realized that some aren’t trust worthy as history has proven..
Over the opinion of 1 Inuk, it has been taken off? I’ll say the company should seek the reliable information and authenticity from Inuit as a whole from NTI, not from the opinion of 1 person!
I think the Inuksuk got most Inuit today confused. There are those that argue for non human like, and those that say it’s more like a cairn. Like a pile of stones piled with some pointed top. A tapered piled even. I prefer to have a cairn or the pile of rocks rather then the arms legs a body and head.
When are we going to talk about the technology and symbols Inuit ‘stole’ from the Tuniit? Including the Inuksuk.
As long as minorities think of themselves as victims they are destined to be just that.
Kids are being rared that way, learnt helplessness. Their worth and self respect and self esteem is dependent upon symbols and it includes religious as well as other forms of cultural symbols like the ulu and Inuksuk. It’s sad that people feel so insecure.
More readership and more comments to this vs. systematic child welfare failures. The priorities of government are often reflective of the priorities of the masses.
Many years ago my wife and I were on vacation on the beautiful Isle of Maui. During one of our many excursions on the island, we came across an area that was covered by inuksuit. Was that cultural appropriation? Or was that just the REAL origin of the inukshuk?
Absurd…
What part of the two questions was absurd? I was taught by my parents that NO question is absurd and warrants an educated, polite, response.
The idea that the Inuksuk is of Polynesian origin is absurd.
Yes Mr John Murphy, I quite agree with your story. Nothing absurd at all about it.
I have been to many Pacific islands and seen many Inukshuqs
When I was in Easter Island , I was wearing a T-shirt with an inukshuk on it, and an old
lady said it was the style of the ancient polynesians. She then traded it to me for some
shell necklaces.
Now the people will know that we were here
Absolutely, many cultures from the beginning of time use the cairn, called Inuksuk by Inuit. Just look at grave stones. I suggest , it would be nice too, if we would see gravestones, marking out love ones burial site to be done in the north, like been so in the southern areas for centuries. Wooden cross as markers deteriorating faster .Use of inuksuk would be attractive and attached to a blend of modern, the soap stone carving for example might marry will too with that kind of use. Or why not just the plain old inuksuk, but not to claim ownership, no no.
Oh God. Who cares? How does this matter?
OMG I have heard it all now this statue is not just wholly Inuit it is seen and used in other countries for centuries from other cultures. Please read up on your history before you get your knickers in a knot.
There is nothing less important to society than ancestry; nothing more important to an individual than his genetics
Laugh out loud. 96 comments over an inukshuk.. here’s what my former arrogant boss once told me.. get off the internet and go outdoors, go hunting. Stop this non sense over an inukshuk and go outdoors.. it’s spring time Nunavut !!
Life is like a box of chocolates.. you never know whatcha gonna get!!