Welcome to Inupiat Nunat : The Story of the Real People of the Arctic

An immersive picture book that follows a modern Inupiat family as they share their connection to their land, heritage, and history in the Arctic, culminating in Nalukataq, an annual celebration, illustrated by Newbery Honoree Nasugraq Rainey Hopson.

Welcome to Inupiat Nunat, where the Arctic wind blows over frozen tundra.

The Inupiat live here. They always have.

With snow as their compass, Inupiat ancestors first trekked by foot, and later by dog team. With snowmobiles, modern Inupiat still use the ice and snow as their roadway.

The Inupiat treat the land with respect. The seal, caribou, polar bear, and ducks feed and clothe the Inupiat, who in turn honor and respect those lives and spirits.

In the summer, at the Nalukataq, the Inupiat celebrate the bowhead whale, which has provided warmth and food for thousands of years, through today and beyond. The whales are the spiritual heart of the culture. Thousands gather in gratitude to eat, sing, dance, and share stories. This tradition, and their histories and stories, continue on.

The Inupiat, the real people of the Arctic, have always lived there - and they always will.

Powerfully written by Saggan George Edwardson and National Book Award finalist Debby Dahl Edwardson, with gorgeous illustrations by Newbery Honoree Nasugraq Rainey Hopson, Welcome to Inupiat Nunat is a joyful exploration of indigenous environmentalism, the cultural strength of Arctic communities, and the importance of preserving oral history.