Netsilik Eskimos VI Building a Kayak

Now it is July summer The runoff is in full spate and open water shows offshore Ice cakes melt on the shingle On the bay are ducks It is time to build a kayak a task shared by two men They gather materials valuable scraps of wood bone seal skins and sinews Now there is much cutting fitting joining and binding The woman helps by cutting additional thongs scraping skins providing food She must also amuse the child who seems left out by the singleminded work of the men Then the work breaks and a man harpoons a fish in a tide pool all share the pleasure of fresh food