Word of the Week

Promoting Inuktitut is a priority of the Ice Watch. The use of ice terminologies across Inuktut dialects and the Word of the Week video series supports communities using their own knowledge systems to document changing sea ice conditions across the North.

Word of the Week videos featuring Inuktitut ice terminology were shared to SIKU’s social media channels and broadcast on Uvagut TV in 2022 and 2023.

SIKU supports viewing and tagging sea ice terminology in multiple Inuktut dialects. Learn How to Tag an Ice Type.

qinu

Qinu, or qinuaq, is slushy ice that is one of the first types of ice that forms in the fall and at the floe edge in winter. Learn More…

qaingu

Qaingu is ice that forms along the shore in the fall at the high tide line when qinu, or slushy ice, is pushed onto the shore and builds up from waves and tides, where it freezes from slush into more solid qaingu. Learn More…

sikuaq

Sikuaq, or hikuaq in the western dialects, is when qinu or slushy ice begins to solidify and forms very thin freshly formed ice. Learn More…

sikuliaq

Sikuliaq, or young ice, forms as sikuaq freezes up and gets thicker and harder. It no longer looks grey and can have some snow on top. It can be strong enough to support some animals but not always thick enough to support a person walking on it. Learn More…

sikuliaviniq

Once sikuliaq freezes up enough so that it is thicker and no longer wavy, it is called sikuliaviniq or tuvaruaq. Using a harpoon, it can be walked on and when it gets thicker sometimes can support a skidoo. Learn More…

qanguti

Qanguti, also known as kanijjuk or frost flowers, are incredible crystals of salt and ice that can be seen forming on the surface of new ice as the salt is pushed out of the freezing ice. Learn More…

ivunik

Ivunik is piled up ice and ivujuk is the process of ice piling up. This often happens with moving ice piling up along the shore, or at the floe edge when the moving floe closes up against the land fast ice edge and creates pressure ridges of piled up ice. Learn More…

More Resources

Learn more about ice and language by exploring the SIKU Ice Profiles.

Other Resources

Gjoa Haven SmartICE Glossary • Nain SmartICE Glossary

Kinngait Sea Ice Glossary • Mittimatalik SmartICE Glossary

Inuit Siku Atlas • Inuinnaqtun English Dictionary

Kangiryuarmiut Inuinnaqtun: Uqauhiitaa Numiktitirutait Dictionary

Natchilingmiut Uqauhingit (Natchilingmiutut Dictionary)