Eskaleut
The single ancestral language of Eskaleut contains evidence of similarities to the Chukchi, Doryak, and Itel'men languages of Northern-Eastern Siberia. Eskaleut languages are spoken all across the Arctic region with degrees of regional difference. The Eskaleut languages are Inuktitut, Invialui, Copper, Inuit, Netsilik Inuit, Caribou Inuit, Igloolik Inuit, Baffin Land Inuit, and Labrador Inuit. The Eskaleut language group has a complex system of individual dialects that are divided not by region but by gender and age. For example, in the Inuvik region the Eskaleut practised tekhonymy, which means that an individual, on becoming a parent, becomes known by the name of the child with a suffix indicating relationship. Hence, a new father's name would change to the equivalent of 'Joe's father'.
The close proximity of band society in the Arctic region created a variety of everyday stresses. The harsh climate limited freedom of movement, and individuals had to deal with others continually throughout the long winter season. There were also periods of insecurity over dwindling food sources. These stresses were released though competitive sports and dancing. Rock throwing, finger pulling, and wrestling were games of strength, and long jump and high jump tested agility. These games were often used to test the power or friendliness of strangers. The Inuit also gambled and the loser of a wager might lose his tent, kayak, or wife. The Inuit are accredited with playing hundreds of different games.
Religion helped the Inuit to cope with the uncertainties of life. The Caribou Inuit vested certain men and women with special spiritual powers. The shaman performed healing rites in the name of the two supreme deities, Hila, a male spirit, and Pinga, a female spirit. The spirits had the power to give or take away food, illness, or good fortune, so the shaman offered advice or warnings from the spirit world. Religious rituals were centred on important life stages such as birth and death. The Labrador Inuit had a female deity, Supergu'ksoak, who protected land animals, and a male deity, Tornga'rsoak', who protected sea mammals. The shaman relayed the descriptions and adventures of these two deities to the band. He also appealed to them on behalf of the band for a successful hunt.