The People's Land: Eskimos and Whites in the Eastern Arctic

Hugh Brody's The People's Land is an articulate and sympathetic study of relations between the Inuit and Whites in Canada's Eastern Arctic region. Since first contact with the Inuit of this region was made by European, the latter have attempted to assert authority over them, first as missionaries and furtraders, later as government officials. The result has been truly detrimental to the Inuit, so much so that it is extremely difficult for them to live their traditional way of life. Also important is the psychological effect that White dominance has had, an issue that is still far from being resolved. In turn, Brody also discusses the mentality of the Whites who came to the Eastern Arctic. While they were enchanted by the seemingly romantic manner in which the Inuit lived, they also regarded these people with a profound distaste because of their skin colour and religious practices. Although a couple decades old now, The people's Land is still a very insightful work, well worth reading by anyone interested in the Arctic.