Authentic Inuksuk at Canada's Northern House

The most memorable symbol of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games is unquestionably the inuksuk. This icon of the North has helped welcome visitors from around the world to Vancouver and shared the rich, enduring culture of Canada's northern people. Visiting Canada's Northern House presents the perfect opportunity to learn more about the people of Northern Canada and see our authentic inuksuk welcoming visitors into the pavilion.

Visitors to Northern House are greeted at the entrance by an inuksuk built by former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq, using stone from Nunavut, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Born in Repulse Bay, Nunavut, Irniq is an Inuit cultural teacher, consultant and accomplished speaker who has travelled the world teaching Inuit language and culture. He has built inuksuit in Canada, the United States and in Europe.

Inuksuit (the plural of inuksuk) are among the oldest and most important technologies developed by Inuit people on the northern landscape. Inuksuk means 'likeness of a person' in the Inuit language. Some are thousands of years old, telling the story of where people have lived, hunted and travelled.

Inuksuit have been interpreted many different ways during the Vancouver 2010 Games. Artcirq, a troupe of musical and circus performers from Igloolik, Nunavut, have incorporated an inuksuk into many of their performances at the Games. Theirs is built by climbing atop each other to take the unmistakeable form of the inuksuk using their athletic bodies.

Though they are generally a symbol of survival and friendship, inuksuit have different uses and meanings. The inuksuk that greets visitors in the entryway at Canada's Northern House is accompanied by interpretive panels and information. Come down and stand next to this powerful symbol for yourself.

Hours of operation: We're open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm until April 18.