Last year while sending in my final manuscript for
The Raven's Gift to the fine folks at Penguin Canada, I kept noticing changes to my word choice. Everywhere I used the world "Eskimo" the word "Inuit" had magically appeared. I corrected this apparent typo and then received a gentle note that said something to the effect that "Eskimo" in Canada is a derogatory word and not used (of course with the exception of sporting groups and frozen dessert treats). As is so often the case for a kid raised on the tundra, this was news to me. Just like when I found out break-dancing was no longer cool. Did I dare share this news with my friends. Hey, guess what
Eskimo Bob, you're going to have to be called Inuit Bob? Hey
Eskimo Rockstar, guess what? Hey
Eskimo Power, guess what? And on and on...eventually until I had to tell my nephews they could no longer call themselves Eskimo.
Not such an incredibly long time ago, I was the sole white face fronting a band of Yup'ik rockgods in
The Funky Eskimos. In our signature song "
Funky Eskimo" I joked that the other members could call me the "white devil," as we used music and humor to attempt to deflect any questions as to why a white kid could be a part of The Funky Eskimos, with our main point being more about being funky than anything.
While I completely respect those who wish to be called their tribal name, in Alaska, at least for the time being there are plenty of people who identify quite proudly as being Eskimo, or Yup'ik Eskimo, or just Yup'ik, Cup'ik, or Inupiaq, and if you call them Inuit, don't be surprised if they look at you funny.
What are your thoughts?
