An inukshuk is a stack of stones traditionally used by the Inuit people of the Arctic region, which is void of natural landmarks, to mark anything from hunting grounds to a cache of food. When used for navigation there is usually a peephole in the inukshuk, which will point the traveler in the direction of the next marker.
In the Inuit language, inukshuk means "likeness of a person" or "in the image of man."
The rock pile has evolved from just stone markers to a symbol of leadership, cooperation and the human spirit. Stones are carefully chosen for how well they fit together with the other stones. Each stone complements the one above it and below it. The stones achieve unity through balance. It is a reminder that a group of people can achieve more success than any one individual. The inukshuk reminds us of our dependence on one another.
The 2010 Winter Olympics inukshuk was named Ilanaaq (pronounced 'ih-lah-nawk'), which means "friend" in the Inuit language.
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