The Inukshuk

INUKSHUK is an Inuit word meaning "image of man’s spirit". These lifelike rock figures were erected by the Inuit across the tundra to serve as markers or guides for those that journeyed along the same route. They act as reminders to us of our dependence on one another and the importance of strong relationships.

Inukshuk are small piles of stones arranged in the likeness of a person. The Inuit originally built these manlike sculptures of rock along Canada’s northern shores as markers to lead their way, indicating safe passage. ....other's have come this way....

They recognize our ability to succeed with others, where we would fail alone. The Inukshuk serves as a reminder of the responsibility to invest our efforts today, towards building a better tomorrow.

Today, the Inukshuk has become an eternal symbol of the importance of teamwork, cooperation and shared vision.

The traditional meaning of an Inukshuk was to act as a compass or guide for a safe journey. The Inukshuk, like ancient trackers, helped guide people seeking their way through the wilderness."

Inukshuk, meaning, variously, "I was here," or "person keeping watch."

These large boulders or the Inukshuk are clearly necessary in a land with so few landmarks.........to point out the way...

"Erected to make the way easier and safer for those who follow, an Inukshuk represents safety and nourishment, trust and reassurance. The Inukshuk guided people across the frozen tundra and gave them hope in barren places to handle hardships they encountered. These primitive, stone images showed the way ahead... pointing you in the direction you wanted to go."

Inukshuks in themselves are the product of cooperation. The hands and efforts of an entire group were required to build these massive stone sculptures. They are the result of a consensus of purpose, of focused action by a group united in its goal and labour. The Inukshuk reminds us that as good as our individual efforts may be, together we can do even greater things.

Each individual stone in an inukshuk supports, and is supported by, the one above and the one below it. No one piece is any more or less important than another. Its' strength lies in its unity. Its' significance comes from its meaning as a whole.

Each individual, by themselves, is significant. As part of a team each of us supports, and is supported by, another. We are united by our common goals, and together we are part of a greater whole.

The Inukshuk are a symbol of the human spirit. They recognize our ability to succeed with others, where alone we would fail. Remind us of our need to belong to something greater than ourselves. Prompt us to reconnect with our individual responsibility to invest our efforts today so we may all have a better tomorrow. Ask us to heed the knowledge of our inner knowingness, hear the voice of our intuition and move to the harmonious music in our heart and spirit. Inukshuks convey the importance of personal contribution and reinforce our ability to commit to common goals. They implore us to share the fruits of our learning, our wisdom with one another.