Perspectives on traditional law

Perspectives on Traditional Law does not address Western perspectives on law or means of social control, nor Western interpretations of Inuit concepts of law. It instead confines itself to Inuit interpretations of maligait, piqujait, and tirigusuusiit--the meanings of which require considerable exploration--and to applications of these in traditional day-to-day life. The book is based on interviews with Inuit elders conducted during two courses at Nunavut Arctic College's Iqaluit campus in 1997 and 1998. Part One consists of four chapters which address traditional legal concepts, respect for wildlife, means of dealing with wrong-doers and the place of women in traditional Inuit society. Part Two consists of seven chapters addressing in turn the role of community leaders, explorations of the concepts of ownership and murder, a comparison of relatively new and traditional stories (which frequently incorporated a moral element), and songs.… (more)