ESKIMOS IN ALASKA

Today, more than one-half of the Eskimos in the world live in Alaska. Scientists believe that several thousand years ago the Eskimos walked across an ancient land bridge that connected Asia to Alaska. They settled in the tundra and forests of northern and western Alaska along the coast. They learned to survive in icy cold places that are frozen for most of the year.

Alaska has three Eskimo groups. These are the Inupiat, the Siberian Yupik, and the Yupik. Many Eskimo families live on the tundra along the coast and still live a subsistence lifestyle much like their ancestors did. Subsistence means that the Eskimos hunt and fish and gather much of their food.

Eskimos hunt whales, polar bears, seals, walrus, moose, and caribou for basic food. They also fish for salmon, trout, and other fish. During the summer and fall, they gather eggs, berries, and greens. Eskimo men do most of the hunting and fishing. Eskimo women gather the berries and plants and cut and store the food the hunters bring home.