The Inuktuyuut

The Imaryungmiut were Inuvialuit who lived and hunted at Imaryuk year round. According to legends, Imaryungmiut were a peaceful people, and as a result their neighbours often raided them.

One legend tells about people from Kitigaaryuk coming to steal caribou skins. Although Imaryungmiut elders said that peace was more important than fighting, some of the young men became resentful. One young man took some action.

Listen to Raddi Kuiksak tell why the Imaryungmiut thenceforth were known by the name Inuktuyuut (In Inuvialuktun):

"He waited until the leader reached the camp. Without warning, he aimed with his bow and killed him. The Kitigaaryungmiut fled in surprise. The Imaryukmiut were astonished that one of their own would kill someone. They said to the young that it was their rule than anything that was killed had to be eaten. One elder cut a small piece of the thigh of the murdered man and made the young Imaryukmiut eat it. From then on he was called an Inuktuyuut - a man-eater. Knowing that the Kitigaaryungmiut would take revenge, they left the area and moved to the east. It was reported that after many years, one woman reached Greenland."

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