arctic

Word of the Week

Qavvik: (ku•-vik) noun. 1. Inupiaq word meaning wolverine. The Qavvik is McQueen School’s mascot and a fierce, important part of Kivalina’s culture. Some clothes have Qavvik fur sown into them to make them warmer.

 

 

Side note: I made the mistake of asking an Elder in the village what a Qavvik was as I was being shown her coat with Qavvik paws including the nails dangling down the front…to which the person beside me responded in apologies and promises that I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Word of the Week

Cunnychuck: (kun•ē•chuk) noun. 1. An arctic entryway. An enclosed, unheated, part of the house which allows an individual to walk into a space out of the elements, stomp off their feet, and then continue through a door into the main living space.

Synonyms: mudroom, entryway, entry room

 

 

Side note: This is probably my favorite word we use up here. I have two on (in?) my house, one that even came with shelving for storage.