Beliefs and Customs

People had souls and spirits. The Inuit believed that there was a spirit of Wind, Sun, Moon and Weather. The important spirit was Sedna. She lived in the bottom of the ocean. Sedna controlled the creatures and good fortune. At one time the Inuit believed in powerful spirits that controlled nature. Tools and other things were placed with the body for the soul to use in the next life. Always the concern is to show kindness to the soul of the animals whose body was about to be put to use by humans. Nearly all hunters are male. Sedna likes to protect their spirit so that others will come and the hunt can be renewed. A shaman could talk to a spirit, heal the sick and tried to bring good weather.