Expert: Ralph Salier - 2/9/2004

Question
My father went to Canada recently and discovered that when the innuit eskimos made camp they built a man of flat stones;;;;with 2 legs a body and a head. In Toronto they sold 4 inch high models of these statues. I am trying to find out the name of them.

thanks Candace

Answer
The Inuit peoples live in small groups and typically the leader of the group is the Shaman or priest of the clan.  Many of the carvings done by the Inuit depict their Shaman doing various things in their vision quests.  Often times, they also use the "Man" picture in the snow to tell the other inhabitants (mostly animals and birds) that this is a camp of "men" and that it should be respected as are their homes.  For this Inuit, all  things, animal, bird, tree, flower has a spirit and it must be honored as all living things honor each other.  

So, Although I am not sure, I believe you are looking for a carving of the "Shaman", the villiage protector.