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The Inukshuk—a cairn often built in the shape of a person—is a spirit symbol that one sees all across  the Arctic.
For centuries, Inuit caribou hunters on the barrens used Inukshuks as a simple solution to a big problem. Few in number, travelling on foot and using only bows and arrows, it was difficult to keep the caribou from stampeding every which way across the vast, treeless tundra. So the hunters constructed rows of Inukshuks to herd the animals toward their companions lying in wait.
The Inukshuk has also been used, from time immemorial, as a directional signal. In a land where travel is difficult, storms are frequent, and there are very few landmarks, the Inukshuk, set high on a hill, points the way. It was also placed at the edge of difficult water crossings and gifts were offered as a prayer for a safe crossing.
Survival, leadership, safe transitions, creative solutions, purpose, awareness, and respect for the land, an ability to renew Spirit and find one’s way—these are the traditional values the Inukshuk represents. And they were never in more demand than they are in today’s business and service environment.
The political, cultural, social, economic, and technological winds of change are blowing across he North, across our continent, and permeating every workplace. The old landmarks are obscured, the terrain is new, there is chaos and there are often no maps. Finding one’s way, renewing one’s Spirit, building mutual respect and a common sense of direction, finding meaning and dignity in work, developing
the new skills we need to survive and flourish—this is what it’s all about.
We believe communities and organizations are living organisms, part of a living universe. They can best organize themselves by understanding how life organizes itself. It seems fitting, therefore, that we turn to the Arctic landscape and choose the Inukshuk as our corporate symbol. It is the traditional symbol of life, survival and hope.
If at any time you need to return to the home page, just click on the Inukshuk Logo to find your way. |
