The family is the centre of Inuit life. It includes children, parents, grandparents and the extended family.
Children receive a gentle education. They imitate the behaviours of their parents. Family traditions and knowledge are passed along orally to the youngest members of the family.
In the past, each member of the family had an essential role to play. For example, the women made coats out of caribou and seal skin so the men could go hunting. Several families could also work together to build dams to catch Arctic char during their migration. The fish was then dried for winter supplies. Today, these roles have evolved, but the family is still the heart of Inuit life.