Kananginak Pootoogook
	Inuit, Cape Dorset, 1935-
	Building a Snow House, 1978
	Lithograph, 32/60
	Purchased 1988
	1988.1069

    Snow houses, or igloos, sheltered Inuit families during the winter months. These structures, so perfectly in harmony with the north, are a technological wonder. Their ancestors, whom we refer to as the Thule culture, passed the tradition to Inuit. The Thule migrated into what is now considered the Canadian Arctic between 1000 and 1300 AD, bringing with them lifeways perfectly suited to the harsh northern climate.

The process for building an igloo is shown, in part, in the print Building a Snow House. Two figures, presumably men, are shown layering the cut and shaped 'chunks' of snow. The shapes and sizes change as the igloo approaches the top of the dome. It is here at the top of the dome where the majority of the strength required to support the dome is found.

The skills required to construct igloos were handed down from generation to generation. Even though igloos are not relied upon for primary housing in contemporary Inuit communities, there are still good reasons for knowing how to build them. The weather conditions can change quickly in the north and travel can be precarious even with modern skidoos and aeroplanes. Because the knowledge of how to build igloos was being lost, some schools now conduct workshops on how to build them so that young people can have some experience with this ancient tradition.

Kananginak has created an image that demonstrates how snow houses are built, so that it may educate other people about this particular practice. He is helping to preserve his heritage by creating works of art.