Homes, Trades and Games of Long Ago · Drawing 04 of 40
The Inuit qajaq
Knowledge passed on
The qajaq, or kayak, is an Inuit invention. Sealskins were stretched over a wooden frame to make a light, fast boat. In Nunavik, people still learn to build them.
Look together
Where can you still see the qajaq’s frame?
An idea to try
With pipe cleaners, shape a boat frame and stretch a piece of cloth or paper over it. See how the skin holds on the frame without covering it in glue.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
In Nunavik, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq projects pass on qajaq-building skills today. Traditional boats combined a frame, often of wood, with a sealskin covering. This work transmits Inuit expertise rather than simply preserving an old object.
Contemporary workshops may use fabric instead of skins. The illustration evokes an outdoor workshop. Find the exposed frame and the paddle; the scene is not a photograph of a particular workshop.
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Kativik — Reconquérir le qajaq
- Institut culturel Avataq — Comités culturels locaux
- Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec — Pièce de kayak
Source review: 2026-09-19. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.