An Ookpik (sometimes spelled Ukpik),^[1] the Inuktitut word for Snowy Owl, was a popular Inuit handicraft toy. It was a small, souvenir owl with large head and big eyes, a beak, and small black talons. They are often made from wolf fur, sealskin and other traditional materials.^[2]

Contents 1 History 2 Mascot 3 Books 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

The original Ookpik was created in the early 1960s and made from sealskin. The figure was recreated by Jeannie Snowball of Fort Chimo, now Kuujjuaq, for a trade fair in Philadelphia in 1964.^[3][4] The Ookpik figures were created at the Ft Chimo Eskimo Co-operative in Quebec in 1963. The Ookpik is a symbol by which Canadian handicrafts are identified internationally. ^[2]

Many Canadians and Americans remember owning an Ookpik, and remember it as a popular symbol of Canada.^[3][4] The figures are still available in several forms at a cost of about $30, though prices have been seen as high as $80 in Inuvik during the tourism season when Ookpiks are scarce.

[edit] Mascot

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's (NAIT) mascot is the Ook a shortened version of Ookpik. NAIT was presented this mascot in 1964 by the Federal Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources now Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Most of NAIT's sports teams are called the Ooks.^[5]

[edit] Books

Several books, mainly children's, have been written about this popular owl, including:

• Kent Salisbury, illustrations by Beverly Edwards, Ookpik Visits the USA, which, when available, is valued at more than $1,500 (Little Golden Books)
• Dudley Copland, illustrations by James Simpkins OOKPIK the Ogling Arctic Owl (Canadian Century Publishers, 1965)
• Barbara Hazen, illustrations by Irma Wilde Ookpik in the City (Big Golden Book, 1968)
• Bruce Hiscock Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl (Boyds Mills Press, 2008, ISBN 978-1590784617)
• Dennis Lee, illustrations by Frank Newfeld, an ookpik features in the book of poems, Alligator Pie (Macmillan Publishers of Canada, ISBN 978-1-55263-338-0)
• Douglas Coupland, the ookpik was featured in the book about Canadian culture, Souvenir of Canada, which was later made into a film (Douglas & McIntyre, ISBN 978-1550549171)

[edit] References

1. ^ "Ukpik". Asuilaak Living Dictionary. http://www.livingdictionary.com/search/viewResults.jsp?resultsId=1213527486142ri. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Ookpik at The Canadian Encyclopedia
3. ^ ^{a b} Eyes on Ookpik
4. ^ ^{a b} Inuit Art: A History By Richard C. Crandall
5. ^ Origin of the Ookpik (the Ook)

[edit] External links

• True Patriot Love - Souvenir of Canada: Douglas Coupland’s wistful look at kin and country

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