What is an Inuksuk?

An Inuksuk is a pile of rocks in the shape of a person. Inuk means 'person' and suk means ‘substitute’ in the Inuit language. The inuksuk was used by the Inuit in Canada to show people the way, to warn people of danger ahead, as a memorial sign or as a helpful tool at the caribou hunt. The Inuksuk stands for Inuit power, leadership and motivation.

Welcome message
Close


Through our travels and expeditions, we are more than ever convinced that nature is a perfect teacher. When travelling through pristine wilderness, over high mountains or on rough seas, you immediately feel humble, a state of mind we tend to loose in this 21first high-tech century where we think we can conquer anything !

Being outdoors, you appreciate your shelter, food and water, and you appreciate more than ever true friendship. One learns when to travel and when to stay put and listen to the teachings of the weather elements. One doesn't ‘conquer’ a mountain; the mountain lets one walk on it.

Through our INUKSUK website we want to share with you our adventures and respect for mother Earth. We invite you to use your 5 senses and start to witness what nature can provide you: a never ending teaching book. Happy trails, Bert & Kiki
|
Login
Close



Several trips with the Atikamekw Nation of Manawan – June 1999 – March 2001 – Québec PDF Print E-mail

In the Ottawa family’s bush camp, Gérald Ottawa teached us lots of ancient skills and techniques of the life in the bush.


The Attikamek Nation
AttikamekIn the mid-1600s, the Attikamek people numbered about 500 to 600. They occupied a territory criss-crossed by many navigable waterways and adjoining the lands of Cree, Algonquin and Montagnais communities.


Between 1670 and 1680, an epidemic of smallpox decimated the Attikamek Population and the few who survived were hunted down by Iroquois. Some 20 years later, an aboriginal band settled in Attikamek territory. Known as Têtes de boule ("ball heads"), they may have been descendants of the Attikamek who intermingled with other nomadic bands. The name Attikamek was not used again until the mid-1970s.


The arrival of Europeans transformed the way of life of the Têtes-de-Boule. Under the influence of Christianity, they gave up polygamy, married and began baptizing their children. From 1774 on, the Hudson’s Bay Company set up trading posts in the region. As trading intensified, the traditional aboriginal values were gradually supplanted by European ways.


In 1831, logging companies began operating in the region and introduced the notion of wages. The Têtes de boule supplied a ready source of manpower that knew the forest and were content with little reward. Then the 20th century ushered in a new era: the age of hydroelectric projects. The Opitciwan community had to be moved twice due to flooding caused by the creation of the Gouin reservoir in 1918. All these activities had a destructive impact on the flora and fauna of the region. Log driving and forest flooding contaminated the local flora and fauna. The traditional way of life was almost impossible to maintain.


Today 4,779 Attikamek live in the villages of Manawan, Wemotaci and Opitciwan; others are in La Tuque, and in the Mauricie and Lac St-Jean regions. Their economy is now based on bush logging, which constitutes the main source of employment. Crafts also bring in additional income, especially for women, who make bark baskets.