Kaernermiut facts for kids

Kaernermiut (also called Kainermiut) were a group of people who were part of the Copper Inuit. They lived in the northern parts of Canada, mainly along the Back River and the Thelon River. Unlike many other Inuit groups, the Kaernermiut preferred to stay inland all year round. They mostly ate land animals like caribou and muskoxen instead of hunting seals from the sea.

Who Were the Kaernermiut People?

The Kaernermiut were a special subgroup of the Copper Inuit. The Copper Inuit are an Inuit group known for using natural copper found in their land to make tools. The Kaernermiut shared many traditions and ways of life with other Copper Inuit groups.

Where Did the Kaernermiut Live?

The main home of the Kaernermiut was around the Back River in what is now Nunavut, Canada. They also often visited the Thelon River. This area is a vast, cold, and often treeless land called the Arctic tundra. Their land was located to the east and south of another group called the Ahiagmiut.

How Did the Kaernermiut Live?

The Kaernermiut had a unique way of life compared to many other Inuit. They chose to live inland, away from the coast, for all seasons. This meant they did not hunt sea animals like seals, which were a common food source for coastal Inuit groups.

Food and Hunting

Because they stayed inland, the Kaernermiut focused on hunting animals that lived on the land. Their main food sources were:

• Caribou: These large deer-like animals were a very important part of their diet. Caribou provided meat for food, hides for clothing and shelter, and bones for tools.
• Muskoxen: These shaggy, strong animals also provided food and materials.

They were skilled hunters who knew how to find and catch these animals in the harsh Arctic environment.

Staying Inland

The Kaernermiut only went to the sea occasionally. When they did, it was usually as small family groups visiting other tribes. This shows how strongly they preferred their inland way of life.

Kaernermiut and Other Groups

The Kaernermiut interacted with other Inuit groups in their region. There is a possibility that the Kaernermiut and another group called the Haningayogmiut were actually the same people. They lived in the same general area, which suggests they might have been one group known by two different names.