AB 1179, handle, Inuit, ivory, sinew, 10 cm x 2 cm, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada. AB 1182, shuttle, Inuit, bone, 23 cm x 3.8 cm, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada. AB 1184, shuttle, Inuit, bone, 22.7 cm x 3 cm, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada. R1576.18, shuttle, Inuit, ivory, 21 cm x 2.3 cm, Collection of Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada.
Inuit shuttles and line spool
Evidence
These tools were used for making nets and were called mirkutingniq. They are made from ivory. Fish nets were used along the Kivalliq coast and in the river systems.
Perspective
It has been reported that Qikiqtani (Baffin) Inuit never developed this technology. It may be that the small nets made in the Kivalliq were not useful in the much deeper waters along the Baffin Island coast.
Significance
Fish nets were very important for survival and getting food. Inuit used to block the passage of the fish – perhaps at the edge of rapids and hand throw nets into the water.
Copyright 2009 Inuit Heritage Trust