Soapstone is a metamorphic rock largely composed of the mineral talc and is rich in magnesium.It has been a medium for carving for thousands of years. Inukshuk, meaning "likeness of a person" in Inuktitut is a stone figure made by the Inuit. The Inuit make them in different forms and for different purposes: to show directions to travelers, to warn of impending danger, to mark a place of respect, or to act as helpers in the hunting of caribou. The Inukshuk is so common across the Arctic that they have become a distinctive feature of the region. The Inukshuk is simply a pile of stones arranged in the shape of a human being. The Inuit used the Inuksuk to mark trails, indicate caches of food, the location of of nearby settlements and the location of good places to hunt or fish. The Inukshuk symbolizes the fortitude & determination of the Inuit. The Inuksuk, though made of inanimate rock, embodies the spirit and persistence of the Inuit who live and flourish in one of the worlds harshest environments. Inuksuit represent strength, leadership and motivation and has been chosen as the symbol for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
