Observance Daily What day is today, and why are we celebrating it?
International Inuit Day, on November 7, celebrates Inuit culture and the peoples of the Arctic. Established by the Inuit Circumpolar Council in 2006, the day is marked each year on November 7 — in 2026, a Saturday — as a time to honour Inuit traditions, languages, art and history, and to learn about the Arctic and the challenges facing its peoples.
The Arctic is home to peoples whose cultures have thrived in one of the harshest environments on Earth for thousands of years. Inuit communities have built rich traditions of hunting, storytelling, art and music, all shaped by the ice, sea and tundra around them. International Inuit Day invites the whole world to pay attention to that heritage and to the present-day life of Arctic peoples.
What is International Inuit Day?
International Inuit Day is an annual observance celebrating Inuit culture and the peoples of the Arctic. It was established by the Inuit Circumpolar Council in 2006. The Inuit Circumpolar Council is an international non-governmental organisation that represents Arctic peoples — the Inuit, Yupik and Chukchi — in Canada, Greenland and parts of the United States and Russia.
The day is observed on November 7 every year. It gives Inuit communities a platform to share their culture with the world and gives everyone else an opportunity to listen, learn and show respect.
Who are the Inuit?
The Inuit are the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic regions, with communities across Canada, Greenland, Alaska in the United States, and Chukotka in Russia. Along with the closely related Yupik and Chukchi peoples, they are represented internationally by the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
Inuit cultures are diverse, spanning vast distances and different local traditions, but they share deep connections to the Arctic environment. Traditional ways of life centred on hunting sea mammals, fishing and gathering, guided by detailed knowledge of ice, weather and animal behaviour passed down through generations.
Today, Inuit communities blend tradition with modern life. Inuit artists are celebrated around the world for sculpture, printmaking and throat singing. Inuit writers, filmmakers and musicians tell their own stories in their own voices, and Inuit leaders play important roles in debates about the Arctic’s future.
How to mark International Inuit Day
There are thoughtful ways to take part:
- Learn about Inuit culture, language, art and history. Read about the traditions, stories and ways of life of Arctic peoples.
- Read Inuit writers and explore Inuit art. Seek out books, films and music by Inuit creators, who tell their own stories best.
- Watch films by Inuit filmmakers. Cinema made by Inuit creators offers a powerful window into Arctic life.
- Learn about the Arctic and climate change. The Arctic is warming, and the changes to ice and ecosystems directly affect Inuit communities and their traditional ways of life.
- Support Inuit organisations. Look for reputable organisations that work with and for Inuit communities.
- Share what you learn. Talk about the day with friends and family, and help more people understand the Arctic and its peoples.
Why International Inuit Day matters
International Inuit Day matters because Indigenous cultures deserve to be celebrated on their own terms. Too often, the Arctic is discussed as an empty wilderness or a resource to be exploited. This day centres the people who have called it home for millennia and whose knowledge of it is unmatched.
It matters too because the Arctic is changing fast. Climate change is reshaping the ice, the wildlife and the coastlines that Inuit life depends on. Learning about these impacts is the first step toward understanding why Arctic peoples raise their voices in global debates about the environment.
And it matters as an act of respect. Listening to Inuit writers, artists and leaders — rather than speaking over them — is what the day asks of all of us.
Key facts about International Inuit Day
- International Inuit Day is observed on November 7 every year.
- In 2026, it falls on Saturday, November 7.
- It celebrates Inuit culture and the peoples of the Arctic.
- It was established by the Inuit Circumpolar Council in 2006.
- The Inuit Circumpolar Council is an international NGO representing Inuit, Yupik and Chukchi peoples in Canada, Greenland, the United States and Russia.
- Suggested ways to mark the day include learning about Inuit culture, reading Inuit writers, watching films by Inuit creators, and learning about the Arctic and climate change.
Frequently asked questions about International Inuit Day
When is International Inuit Day?
It is observed on November 7 every year. In 2026, that is a Saturday.
Who established International Inuit Day?
The Inuit Circumpolar Council established it in 2006.
Who does the Inuit Circumpolar Council represent?
It is an international non-governmental organisation representing Arctic peoples — the Inuit, Yupik and Chukchi — in Canada, Greenland and parts of the United States and Russia.
How can I mark the day?
Learn about Inuit culture, language, art and history; read Inuit writers and artists or watch films by Inuit creators; and learn about the Arctic, climate change and its impact on Inuit communities.
Why does climate change matter for Inuit communities?
Changes to Arctic ice and ecosystems directly affect the traditional ways of life, hunting and travel of Inuit communities.
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