The Inuit are Indigenous peoples who have lived in Canada's Arctic regions for thousands of years, with communities across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, northern Quebec (Nunavik), and Labrador. The word 'Inuit' means 'the people' in Inuktitut, their primary language. Inuit culture is deeply connected to Arctic life, with traditional knowledge of hunting, fishing, and surviving in extreme cold. The federal government has direct relationships with Inuit through land claim agreements and self-government arrangements. Inuit communities face unique challenges including climate change impacts, high living costs, and limited infrastructure in remote northern locations.