Nov 15, 2024
Celebrating the Kayak
This Native American Heritage Month Doodle celebrates the kayak, a narrow watercraft originally created by Arctic tribes 5,000 years ago.
About Celebrating the Kayak
This Native American Heritage Month Doodle, illustrated by Inuit Nunangat guest artist Natashia Allakariallak, celebrates the kayak! These small and narrow watercraft were created thousands of years ago for hunting, fishing, and transportation. Kayaking has since evolved into a widely popular recreational activity and competitive sport.
Native American communities in arctic regions are to thank for these paddle-powered boats. Kayaks were originally invented by Northern tribes including Inuit, Aleut, Inupiat, and Yup’ik and made with animal skins, bones, and driftwood to help traverse cold waters. These boats offered hunters the stealth and mobility to successfully catch fish, seals, whales, and more in even the most treacherous waters.
It’s only fitting that the word kayak means “hunter’s boat” in Inuit. Qajaq, the etymological form of the word, stems from one of the 14 dialects of the Inuit-Yupik-Unangan family of languages. Each qajaq was customized and hand-built by the hunter to account for their own size and weight, and thought of as an extension of the self rather than just a tool.
Kayaking has since evolved into a sport and recreational hobby that welcomes all who enjoy time out on the water. From leisurely rides across still lakes to competitions over treacherous white waters, kayaking is now worldwide. We have the Northern tribes to thank for this sporting advancement.
About the Guest Artist
This Doodle was illustrated by Inuit Nunangat guest artist, Natashia Allakariallak. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:
Q&A
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