Many Inuit (especially in Canada) do object to the term Eskimo (but only
since the 1970s).  Sadly for them, not all Eskimos are Inuit.  Y'upik
speakers in Western Alaska call themselves Y'upik, or -- horrors! -- Y'upik
Eskimos.  Eskimo is the only suitable term for ALL the culturally
homogeneous (but linguistically varied) indigenous tribes stretching from
Siberia to Greenland.

There is much irony in the Inuit complaints, since if you are not English,
the Inuit word for "white person" is as inaccurate and "insulting" as
"Eskimo."  If you are French (the only other kind of white person recognized
in Inuit), the term for you is basically "One Who Says 'Oui'".  It's not
"Surrender Monkey," but it's still pretty crass.  I'm calling them Eskimos
until they rectify that situation.

--
Paul Dubuc,
Dayton, OH
at sign beween pauldubuc and gmail dot com

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