The Inuit and the Yupik are culturally similar communities of hunters and fisherman indigenous to and living across the northern hemisphere, as close to the Arctic circle as anyone can. In such a harsh and limited climate the degree of materials available to work with is limited, and almost exclusively to animal products. .
Local materials–bone, animal hides, driftwood, ivory and soapstone–supply all clothing and home furnishing needs.
The Inuit stretch leather over wooden frameworks to make tent-like homes and boats. The women sew and stitch the much copied parka or anorak, floor rugs to keep the home warm underfoot, and big fur ‘blankets’ to sleep under. The Alaskan Yupik make beautiful woven baskets with coloured grasses and intricate pattern worked with hand made ivory and bone beads.