How did Arctic peoples obtain food from inland and coastal environments?

In the Arctic culture area, Indigenous peoples traditionally obtained food by adapting their subsistence strategies to the extreme seasonality of the environment, relying primarily on animal sources rather than vegetation.12

Coastal and Marine Subsistence

Peoples living along the coasts relied heavily on marine resources. Techniques included:
* Hunting: Hunters used harpoons to catch seals from kayaks in open water or through breathing holes in the sea ice during winter. Large open boats called umiaks were used for hunting walrus and whales.13
* Technology: Residents utilized lamps fueled by sea-mammal oil for heat and light, which were essential for processing food and surviving in permanent or semi-permanent dwellings.3

Inland Subsistence

Inland, subsistence was focused on terrestrial game and freshwater resources:
* Hunting: Caribou were a primary food source, often hunted during the summer months using bows and arrows. Other animals, such as musk ox, were also harvested.13
* Fishing: People utilized rivers and lakes to catch fish, which served as a vital component of the diet.3

These activities were often organized into a seasonal round, where communities moved between inland areas for summer hunting and fishing and coastal areas for winter seal hunting, ensuring access to resources despite the harsh climate.3