The word Eskimo is an older term that was once commonly used to describe the Indigenous peoples living in the Arctic regions of Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. For many years, this was the standard word in English, appearing in books, atlases, and schoolwork.

Today, many people in Alaska still use Eskimo as an umbrella term for the Iñupiat, Yupik, and other related groups who live there. However, in Canada, most Indigenous Arctic peoples prefer to be called Inuit (which means “the people” in their language), and using Eskimo there can be considered disrespectful.

This shows something important about language: words that were once considered perfectly normal can change meaning over time as we learn more about what people prefer to be called. When talking about these cultures, it's most respectful to use the specific names they use for themselves, like Inuit, Iñupiat, or Yupik.

This idea goes beyond this one word: paying attention to what people call themselves helps show respect for their identity and culture.