Local Dishes

1. ᐃᒍᓇᖅ

   I-gu-naq

   Igunaq (fermented walrus meat)

   Usage

   A traditional preserved food of fermented walrus meat with a strong flavour. If you are new to it, try a small piece first

   Grammar Note

   A single noun. To ask "would you like some?" a verb ending such as -rumavit is added to the stem

2. ᓇᓄᒥᓂᖅ

   Na-nu-mi-niq

   Polar bear meat

   Usage

   Meat of the polar bear, a food of local hunters under hunting rights that visitors cannot obtain themselves. If it is offered, eat it well cooked

   Grammar Note

   The pattern "animal name + -miniq" means the meat of that animal. Here the base is the word for polar bear

3. ᒥᑭᒐᖅ

   Mi-ki-gaq

   Raw meat

   Usage

   Uncooked meat. Eating fresh meat raw is a custom in the Arctic, so it is a useful word when you are offered some

   Grammar Note

   A single noun. It is a different word from the one for frozen meat

4. ᖁᐊᖅ

   Qu-aq

   Frozen meat

   Usage

   Meat eaten frozen, shaved thin. It is an everyday way of eating in the cold, and it is polite to try it when offered

   Grammar Note

   A single noun. The verb meaning "is frozen" is a different word form

5. ᐱᑦᑎ

   Pit-ti

   Dried fish

   Usage

   Fish dried in the air. It is a preserved food eaten as it is and also works as a snack

   Grammar Note

   A single noun. Learn it together with the word for dried meat

6. ᐊᒡᒍᐊᓚᕿᓵᖅ

   Ag-gu-a-la-qi-saaq

   Stew

   Usage

   A simmered dish of meat and other ingredients, served warm at home and at gatherings

   Grammar Note

   A single noun. To say what is in it, name the ingredient before it

7. ᐳᓐᓂᖅ

   Pun-niq

   Boiled caribou fat (hardened)

   Usage

   Caribou fat that is boiled and then left to set. A high-energy food for the cold

   Grammar Note

   A single noun

8. ᐸᖅᑯᑦ

   Paq-kut

   Aged caribou fat and bone marrow

   Usage

   Aged caribou fat and bone marrow, a traditional treat with a distinctive taste. Try a small amount if it is offered

   Grammar Note

   A single noun

9. ᓱᕙᓕᒃ

   Su-va-lik

   Food seasoned with fish eggs

   Usage

   Food seasoned with fish eggs. If you do not like roe, check what is in it before eating

   Grammar Note

   A single noun

10. ᑭᒃᑲᔮᖅ

    Kik-ka-jaaq

    Bones with meat

    Usage

    A dish of bones with the meat left on. You pick them up and eat from them with your hands

    Grammar Note

    A single noun

11. ᐸᓚᐅᒑᖅᑐᕆᑦ!

    Pa-la-u-gaaq-tu-rit!

    Have some bannock.

    Usage

    Offers someone bannock, a simple pan bread. It is often offered when you are invited into a home

    Grammar Note

    Adding -turit to the stem gives a command that offers food, meaning "have some". It is a friendly offer

12. ᓇᓄᒥᓂᖅᑐᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕕᑦ?

    Na-nu-mi-niq-tu-la-uq-si-ma-vit?

    Have you eaten polar bear meat before?

    Usage

    A way to start a conversation about local food by asking whether someone has tried it

    Grammar Note

    -lauqsima- marks an earlier experience and -vit is the question ending "do you …?". The verb endings attach directly to the meat word

13. ᒪᒪᕆᕕᐅᒃ?

    Ma-ma-ri-vi-uk?

    Do you like the taste of it?

    Usage

    Asks about the taste, either of the host who made the food or of someone eating with you

    Grammar Note

    -viuk is the question ending "do you … it?". To answer, the ending changes to -jara ("I … it")

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