Carver Archie Ishulutak chisels away at his work. His sculptures are about six to 12 inches high. But they stand for something bigger. They help preserve the Inuit way of life.

The Inuit people live in both the northernmost United States and in Canada. Does that send a shiver down your spine? It should! The Inuit live in the tundra. No trees grow there. The ground is too frozen. What would you do if you lived in a frozen land with no trees? How would you build a home?

Long ago before wood could be imported, the Inuit lived in winter igloos. In the summer, they moved to animal skin tents. They traveled across snow using sleds made from animal bone. Though they lead a chillier life, the Inuit are considered American Indians just like those who belong to southern tribes.

These days, the Inuit use igloos only for the occasional hunting trip. But their heritage still matters to them. They want to keep it alive. You can see that in Mr. Ishulutak’s sculptures. He shows an American Indian hunting a seal with a spear. Other sculptures show his people fishing or dancing with drums. The Inuit people have survived the world’s toughest conditions. They have a lot to be proud of!