How Inuit in the Canadian North Perceive the Wolverine: From Past to Present
The wolverine is an animal perceived by the Inuit in northern Canada as a voracious and powerful creature. Often associated with the wolf, it occupies a singular place in the bestiary of these peoples. The wolverine is a predator, a nomad, a scavenger; but it is also a thief, capable of endangering the humans it follows by destroying their meat caches. A sly trickster, the animal’s cunning and determination make it a formidable adversary for other animals and humans alike. While these characteristics have earned the wolverine a bad name in everyday life, they have also contributed to its status as a powerful tuurngaq, an auxiliary spirit, in the shamanic world. The wolverine is an ambivalent being that arouses fear and dread among hunters.