The Inuit Inukshuk is a Northern Canadian symbol. Piles of rock slabes and stone are built to depict the shape of a person with arms stretching out. The rocks and slabs are placed to balance on each other. By this balance there is strength through unity. These structures were markers for hunters and others travelling in the North. Even during the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver logo LLANAAQ was based on the Inuit Inukshuk. They are now found in many places across Canada. Jewellery, small household statues, art cards depict this item. There are many improvised versions along many highways such as Highway 69 to Parry Sound- atop the rock ledges-big and small. In Toronto during World Youth Day, 2002, a nine metre high Inukshuk was erected in Battery Park along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Toronto International Airport has several Inukshuks outside one of its terminals. What a Canadian tradition to take an object from one setting- the north -and place it in as many venues with the same meaning! What a bonding of different cultures! If you were to build your own Inukshuk, where would you put it? Would it be big for others to see? Would you create a small one just for your viewing? What direction would it be pointing?
Monday, October 18, 2010
INUKSHUK- IMAGE OF MAN
The Inuit Inukshuk is a Northern Canadian symbol. Piles of rock slabes and stone are built to depict the shape of a person with arms stretching out. The rocks and slabs are placed to balance on each other. By this balance there is strength through unity. These structures were markers for hunters and others travelling in the North. Even during the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver logo LLANAAQ was based on the Inuit Inukshuk. They are now found in many places across Canada. Jewellery, small household statues, art cards depict this item. There are many improvised versions along many highways such as Highway 69 to Parry Sound- atop the rock ledges-big and small. In Toronto during World Youth Day, 2002, a nine metre high Inukshuk was erected in Battery Park along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Toronto International Airport has several Inukshuks outside one of its terminals. What a Canadian tradition to take an object from one setting- the north -and place it in as many venues with the same meaning! What a bonding of different cultures! If you were to build your own Inukshuk, where would you put it? Would it be big for others to see? Would you create a small one just for your viewing? What direction would it be pointing?
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Used to have one, built from rectangular stones collected in eastern Manitoba, in one of the flower beds at the Carman home. It was a reminder of a trips made to Yellowknife. It was quite the conversation piece. Left it, and many other things, for the new owners.
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