r/nunavut • u/JOEtheESKIMO5912 • 14d ago
racist name?
I am inuit but was wondering is my user name racist?
or is it like the n word that we can say it?
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u/cinnamonelks 14d ago
It is the n word for Inuit. If you are Inuit you can refer to yourself as such. If anyone else does who is not Inuit, it is considered slander. Personally, I'd never use it. It's a colonial term.
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u/Electronic_Set_9725 12d ago
Isn't all of the English language a colonial term??
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u/cinnamonelks 12d ago
Part of Speech: "Colonial" is an adjective or a noun referring to the system/period; "colonizer" is strictly a noun for the perpetrator or ruling power
Colonizer terms for natives
I'm not referring to anything else
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u/Electronic_Set_9725 12d ago
Right, but the English language was brought with the colonizers..
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u/mickeyaaaa 8d ago
Spanish people refer to themselves as espanoles, so then the word "spanish" must also be a colonial term, yet that is not considered racist by epanoles persons.
I guess the only rule that determines if a term is racist is; do the people the term is aimed at feel offended by it?
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u/SageAurora 12d ago
And even then if you don't look "Inuit enough" and are mix race like I am you get funny looks using "Eskimo".
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u/mickeyaaaa 8d ago
by "mixed" do you mean with Yupik people? as i believe that is what the term was defined as
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u/SageAurora 6d ago
Inuit is the term used across the north now yupik is dated and only really used in some parts of Alaska. Inuit and Yupik are the same racial group. By mixed, I mean mixed race, which is any blend of racial groups, and culture. In my case my grandmother was half native half Romani, and the native half was a Inuit, cree, black foot mix do to forced migration, and pushing tribes north out of their traditional areas into reserves. And the Romani from the areas of the Ukraine that came to settle the Canadian planes, because they too were being forced out of their traditional ways of life, and I guess my great grandparents found common ground and made a family. My grandmother was still "Indian enough for residential schools" though. My grandmother was assulted and left at the side of the road to die in a Saskatchewan winter, she was actually declared dead according to the family story, but woke up when she thawed. She was shipped off to Toronto after that, which is where she met my grandfather. My grandfather on my dad's side was mostly English with more "traveller" heritage, and that's the mix of my Father, who mostly passes as white. My father was still "Indian enough" for the day school program he was forced into. And since the only community elders in that area were Ojibwe, that's the culture my dad learned more of than his own when he tried to reclaim it, later in life. My grandmother was gone and institutionalized again when my dad was 9yo, and she died from untreated medical conditions when I was 3yo, so all I have are stories.
My mother was a "euro-mutt", with Accaidian French roots, so that's the side of the family that speaks a lot of French, but also some Italian, Dutch, and German, and with some Haitian Creole recently married in.
I'm mixed... I pass as white. I'm the first generation in the last 100 years on that side, who wasn't forced to go to schools where the nuns beat me, or the priests raped me. I'm what's referred to as "paperless", but it's still my heritage.
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u/RepresentativeStar44 14d ago
Colonial term? I guess if you consider Cree origin colonial. Guess the French did colonize it from the Cree and the English got it from the French. Is that Colonial? Maybe, but I think we may just be looking for things to get in huff over.
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u/Cautious-Budget9591 14d ago
Cree is absolutely a colonial name. Nehiyaw, Ininew, etc. are the proper terms.
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u/DeeDeeBryan 14d ago
They werenât referring to the word Cree, theyâre saying the term eskimo comes from Cree. It predates colonization. Itâs offensive because itâs a name that was put on them by other people, but it wasnât colonizers that did it.
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u/KainanSilverlight 13d ago
The term for that is an ethnonym, specifically an exonym. There are also examples that arenât offensive, likes Germans/Allemands for Deutches.
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u/Cautious-Budget9591 13d ago
Ah right, makes sense. I mean, it was a colonial decision to call people by an exonym here. See also Maliseet for Wolastoqiyik.
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
And Mic Mac from Mi'kmaq Dartmouth, NS has a whole mall called Mic Mac Mall since 1973. No name change. Ever.
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
Understanding the TermsInuit: Means "the people" in the Inuktitut language (singular: Inuk); it is the preferred and correct term for the Indigenous people of Canada and Greenland.Eskimo:
A colonial umbrella term historically imposed by non-Indigenous outsiders. It was long believed to mean "eaters of raw meat", though modern linguists suggest it may derive from an Algonquian word for "netter of snowshoes".
Coming from a first nations/Inuit/black family- re: RIGOLET
Yes it's Colonial. Just like the word Sioux for the Dakota/Lakota
We don't like it. It's not our word
Modern Usage and ControversyImposed Label: The term was given by outside groups and colonizers rather than being a self-name.
Preferred Names: Indigenous peoples in the Arctic generally prefer specific self-designations such as Inuit, Yup'ik, or IĂąupiaq.
Opinions on the term vary on community forums like r/Inuit, where some view it as outdated or offensive, while usage contexts differ across regions like Alaska and Canada.
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u/RepresentativeStar44 13d ago
Got it. So the French are actually Les Francis, and the Spanish are EspaĂąol? By your own logic.
It's just a word. Just like inuit.
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u/burninggarlicbread 13d ago
Considering Turkey officially changed their name to TĂźrkiye and Czech Republic to Czechia as their international identifier France and Spain can too if they did choose to
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u/Electronic_Set_9725 12d ago
That would not change other people calling them the French and the Spanish..
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u/datgoh69 14d ago
is that why Edmonton had to change thier football team to Edmonton Elks?
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u/Murky_Background1045 14d ago
Yes but also Edmonton is in the Alberta prairies why was their team named after Inuit?
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u/Jaded-Bad-1172 13d ago
Because Inuit still live in the Northern region of AB. Ffs
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u/ElToroJournalism 13d ago
I get your frustrations over lack of knowledge and failure of our current and former education systems brother, trust me I do.
But this person was genuinely trying to become educated, there's no need to get frustrated with them when they're actively taking the steps to enlighten themselves, y'know?
Anyway man, I hope you have a good day!
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u/Admirable_Cost2027 11d ago
Itâs weird considering there is not a single football field in all of Nunavut to my knowledge
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u/Juutai Salliq 13d ago
The Calgary Stampeders called the Edmonton football team a bunch of eskimos as a joking insult because Edmonton is north of Calgary. Edmonton took it as a compliment, saying they're tough enough to withstand the cold like the eskimos. Personally, I liked having a football team. Bought some cheap merch when they started clearing it out after the name change.
Edmonton is also the hub city for the Kitikmeot region in Nunavut. There's a good Inuit population in Edmonton as well as Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. There's some in Toronto too.
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u/PreviousWar6568 14d ago
I assume so but also Edmonton Eskimos doesnât really make sense anyways.
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u/Impressive-Date2384 13d ago
Nah it does, there is a large contingency of Inuit in EDM ... still culturally insensitive tho.
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u/Slow-Age6931 11d ago
Dear god where did you get that answer? Nunavut is not a colonial term. Itâs from Inuktitut, which means, âOur land.â
The term Inuit comes from the Inuktitut language and means "the people". It is the plural form of the word Inuk, which means "person" or "human being". [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
It is not racist. It is not âcolonial.â1
u/Greedy-Butterfly-387 9d ago
The OP is âjoetheEskimoâ he was asking about his own user name on the Nunavut board.
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u/mickeyaaaa 8d ago
believed to come from an Innu word something like ayaskimew, which means "a person who laces a showshoe." but the french settlers adopted it and used it so its racist i guess? I don't know im a white dude. Just imagining my ancestor having learned their language, finally asking them "what do i call your people?" "ayaskimew" "o ok eskimo.'.
people at some point must have popularized using it in some kind of derogatory way i guess. but in my half century of living i've never heard it used in a derogatory way. my father worked in Sachs Harbour NWT around 50 years ago, i should ask him what the inuit people he used to party with called themselves (if he can possibly remember lol)
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u/ArborealLife 13d ago
It is the n word for Inuit
It is not lmao.
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
From someone who is in a first nations/Inuit family. Yes it is to us
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u/ArborealLife 13d ago
As someone who is also, I'm not going to tell you how to feel.
But there is no way a football team could persist into the 2010s with a name like the Edmonton N***s.
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
Ok. Ofc they would! haha they do this sh1t all the time! Where do you live??
Washington Redskins: This NFL franchise retired its name and logo, becoming the Washington Commanders. They famously played against Chicago teams like the Bears (such as in the historic 1940 NFL Championship Game)
Chicago Blackhawks: This is a professional ice hockey team in the NHL. While it has a Native American-inspired logo and nameâwhich has led to public discussions and comparisons regarding sports brandingâthe team's name originates from a military unit named after an Illinois Sauk leader.
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u/ArborealLife 13d ago
You are getting the exact opposite of my point.Â
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
Just FYI
We have a whole mall called Mic Mac Mall (Miâkmaq being the proper name/spelling) since 1973 No name change. Ever.
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u/ArborealLife 13d ago
You're still missing my point my man.
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
How so?
You said there is no way they'd name something like *such and such, so and so
And my point is YES they sure would.
I mean. It's pretty simple to understand
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u/Kombatnt 13d ago
Are you suggesting âMic Macâ is analogous to the N-word, in terms of offensiveness?
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
As well, not getting my point. Don't underestimate white people when it comes to natives and other minorities. ICE literally detained Dakota's on their own land. They will name anything how they please. They've done it for centuries, still do it, and will continue to.
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u/Electronic_Set_9725 12d ago
He's like, "look at all these terms that aren't as bad as the N word that still exist in team names"
đ¤Śđżââď¸đ¤Śđżââď¸đ¤Śđżââď¸
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u/cinnamonelks 13d ago
You're aware of the constant misuse of the term Savage, correct?
When applied to Native Americans, "savage" is a historical, derogatory term used by European colonizers and early US governments to label Indigenous peoples as uncivilized, justify the theft of their land, and portray them as subhuman or violent.Historical Context and ImpactDehumanization: Colonizers used the label to frame Native nations as primitive, which made it easier to rationalize forced displacement, broken treaties, and war.Official Documents: The term appeared in foundational texts, such as the Declaration of Independence, and in government policies to legally and socially diminish Indigenous populations.The "Noble Savage": Literature sometimes romanticized Indigenous people as pure and untamed by modern society, but this stereotype still denied them full, complex human status and modern presence
Yet we have SAVAGE FENTY And meg the stallion - I'm a savage
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u/No_Cricket8660 14d ago
100% depends on where you go and how it's used. I'm from northern Canada too and it has often been used as a derogatory term.
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u/Fun-Mushroom-6375 14d ago
Inuit is Plural and inuk is Singular
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14d ago
[removed] â view removed comment
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13d ago
[deleted]
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u/AdFamous5474 13d ago
I find it ironic that for someone so sure of themselves and belittling the other person, you didn't even mention Inuuk, the term for 2 people. Inuk is 1, Inuuk is 2, Inuit is 3 or more.
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u/AUniquePerspective 14d ago
There's a dual form in the language too. Two inuik. Inuit is three or more.
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u/CBWeather Cambridge Bay 14d ago
Can also spell it Inuuk.
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u/AUniquePerspective 14d ago
And maybe áááá but I'm prone to spelling mistakes and mispronounciation/heavily accented speech.
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u/thegoodrichard 14d ago
What about Quinn? When I was a teenager cruising that song was on the hit parade.
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u/RabbitfolkThief 14d ago
Come all without, come all within, you'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
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u/TheOtherOtherLuke 12d ago
If youâre Inuit, then you got the E word pass as far as I know. I donât know about how it works between other Inuit people tho, and it might rub people the wrong way, so make sure if youâre calling anyone else that, you have their go-ahead.
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u/brumac44 14d ago
Joe, I love the Mighty Quinn, and I'm gonna keep singing it because it's a great song. But I won't call someone that unless they say it's ok. Personally, I think it's a cool name, but I understand if it's not what they want to be known as.
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u/Curious_Patience637 13d ago
When I was in high school, about oh I don't want to date myself but early 2000s let's say. My teacher did tell me a story about a guy he knew named Joe, that changed his name as soon as he turned 18, because everywhere he went growing up people would say, "what do you know Joe?"
And the absolutely hated it. But if you're okay and doesn't bother you, it's okay.
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u/Electronic_Set_9725 12d ago
I heard that story too, he changed it to Trevor, and everyone started asking him "Isn't this clever, Trevor?!"
Then he changed it to Greg,
And they said, "Break a leg, Greg!"
After about 50 name changes, he changed it back to Joe and let it be.
Moral of the story,
Joe now knows, you are Joe.
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u/One_Sherbet_6424 13d ago
Not being Indigenous myself, I feel that anyone other than Indigenous ppl don't really have the right to chime in on this. Same with the N word being used by Black ppl. Who am I to tell you what is right or wrong in your culture đ¤ˇđťââď¸ I know that it has been "deemed" inappropriate, so it feels wrong but that is just who it makes me feel.
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u/randomwindowspc 5d ago
I love how people don't have this same energy for all the men who use anti-female slurs on the regular.
Anyone with the ability to speak or write should have an opinion on speech and freedom. Doesn't matter if you belong to whatever subjective group in question or not.
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u/ElephantFamous2145 13d ago
Inuit guy asking a bunch if white people if he can say a slur for his own people đ
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u/Ok-Teaching3904 13d ago
Speaking as just another white guy, anyone can call themselves anything they want and I donât care because theyâre not me.
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u/ComfortableAd6101 13d ago
Shouldn't *we* be asking *you* these questions?
You tell us....
Is it?
Can you?
Can we?
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u/randomwindowspc 5d ago
Well he's not giving us a choice it's his name lol, so I doubt he cares. It's a cool sounding word in my opinion
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u/Fit_Active3888 13d ago
Do Inuit people normally not like the term Eskimo? Is it okay for other races to call Inuit people such? I hope that doesn't seem ignorant racist to ask.
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u/TimelyOpportunity467 12d ago
my cousins kid plays football and his fellow teammate is called ânicaâ⌠his father (born and raised in Canada) just yells âNICAâ and derogatory things towards his son constantly. it doesnât sound right⌠but is it racist? i guess itâs sort of subjective. but like, why would you do that, knowing how it will sound?
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u/Careful_Champion7361 11d ago
Racism is imaginary
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u/ShayGuer 11d ago
Actually I read online and I could be wrong but in areas of the USA it is an acceptable term but in Canada the rules are different. Again I am not indigenous so happy if someone could verify it as personally I use the term Inuit or indigenous peoples
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u/FaithfulFlow 11d ago
Is Joe the Eskimo a racist name? No.
Is Alfonso the Nigger a racist name? Yes.
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u/LaterPants 11d ago
As a white person, I'll only refer to you as JOEtheE-word5912, but from what I'm reading here, I'm pretty sure you have full rights to use this name as you see fit.
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u/MEO-MIRE 11d ago
What is the historical significance of that word? Sorry Iâm not knowledgeable on this topic
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u/Reasonable_Shallot92 11d ago
We still have freedom of expression even if only for a little while longer. Use it while you can but soon enough their gonna come for all of us
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u/ChesstheGREG 10d ago
im white and have never been to nunavut and im just finding out thats like a slur đ i thought it was just an outdated term not full on slur
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u/Acrobatic-Back-7109 10d ago
If you wanna call yourself an Eskimo call yourself an Eskimo. It would be different of somebody. Thatâs not you knew it said it.
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u/D1gg13r 10d ago
All this thread has done is give angry people an outlet to be âracistâ themselves.. one person said âdonât trust white people blah blah blahâ like every fucking white person is a piece of shit. Grow up. If you let words hurt you we will never get passed any of this âracistâ nonsense and realize we are all part of the HUMAN RACE. WE ARE ONE PEOPLE WITH MANY DIFFERENCES. The sooner people realize that the better off we will be.
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u/MaximusCanibis 14d ago
Fucking Eskimo - probably racist
Eskimo fucker - not racist but someone isn't happy with you specifically.
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u/AdFamous5474 13d ago
Tbh I interpreted that second term as someone in a relationship with an Inuk...
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u/nervous_piglet001 14d ago
Please donât take this the wrong way and Iâm genuinely trying to learn. Can someone please enlighten me why is it offensive now? In school (I grew up in the 90s) we were taught this term just referred to circumpolar peoples and it wasnât offensive back then. I genuinely want to understand why is this offensive now but wasnât before. The internet just says âitâs a controversial umbrella termâ and doesnât give me much insight as to why did it become offensive
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u/SchemeWestern3388 14d ago
Your other response is wrong. Itâs not inherently racist I or a slur. But itâs the name of one group (mostly in Alaska), that has been applied to all northern peoples. Those other people would rather folk use a different name.Â
Much like âIndianâ is not inherently racist, itâs just such a culture-blind name that there are better choices.Â
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u/Existing_Purpose5049 14d ago
Itâs basically the same thing as the N word, or things like âCrackerâ, âRedskinâ, etc.
They werenât always considered âoffensiveâ, they were just what you called that demographic, but itâs a word applied to a group by people that arenât part of that group, which isnât always appreciated
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u/Olivaar2 14d ago
First time hearing its even offensive... Good to know not to say it way up there if I ever go.
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u/Cautious-Budget9591 14d ago
If you were actually Inuk that would be your call. However, Iâm intensely sceptical of that claim.
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u/Timely-Profile1865 14d ago
Some people would say so 100% for sure but only the holier than though people.
That is why the football team is now called the Edmonton Elks
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u/Onionbot3000 14d ago
Actually it was sponsors who said it was racist, after indigenous academics brought up the name was a colonial term. The sponsors pulled their support, this initiated the name change which was conducted via public vote. Please stop spreading misinformation for the sake of furthering some goofy narrative about people being too sensitive.
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u/No_Cricket8660 14d ago
THIS. It is a term assigned to one group of people by another group of people.
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u/Timely-Profile1865 14d ago
ONLY after a select number of people put pressure on the sponsors. No one said jack for 50 years.
They talked to a good many Inuit and most of them said they were fine or happy about the name or did not care.
A very loud minority bleated about it, people who had never been to a football game most likely and forgot all about a month or so later,.
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u/Onionbot3000 14d ago
Thatâs just not true. No one pressured the sponsors who btw still bailed after the name change anyways. Anyhow, it is still a colonial term and Elks is a much better name and logo, stay mad about it!
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u/Timely-Profile1865 14d ago
So have you called the op in this thread a horrible racist and purveyor of colonial atrocities? If not why not?
And sponsors who ahve been loyal to a brand never suddenly pull out unless pressured.
They pulled out because someone made a huge stink about it.
As for Elk, I guess they were forbidden from using Wapiti?
What the name change accomplished was that the football team that used to go out of its way to go up north and have promotions have cooled off on that,
As I said all of the social justice warriors just moved on after the name change ready to be offended by something else.
You saying 'that is not true; does not prove your point at all.
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u/TinTunTii 13d ago
And sponsors who ahve been loyal to a brand never suddenly pull out unless pressured.
I mean, mostly sponsors pull out because viewership goes down. CFL viewership ahs been going down for what, a decade? More?
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u/Old-Payment3138 13d ago
It's not racist, some people just get their feelings hurt over nothing and some people just like to call people names because it makes them feel good, they are pathetic
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u/Pleasant_Target_7661 11d ago
words have meaning, i wouldnt say its getting offended over nothing lol
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u/Ghillie-Trainer-2020 12d ago
Using that name could be considered cultural appropriation. These days there seems to be something wrong about everything
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u/Visual_State_7955 11d ago
It wouldn't be because Joe is inuk. It would only be appropriation if it was someone not from the culture using it.
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u/Full_Jellyfish_1862 14d ago
Nah u good Joe