Inuit Dog Sled Model

This dog sled model was made by a Labrador Inuit craftsman more than 100 years ago.  During the winter, dog sleds were the primary means of transportation across land or ice for the Labrador Inuit.  The dogs are able to travel long distances even in harsh conditions. The model is a detailed replica of a full-size sled, made using the same crafting expertise.

This model was likely made near the Moravian mission station at Makkovik, Labrador, which was established in 1896.  Missionaries regularly traveled between Moravian communities in the United States to lecture about the Inuit way of life and the mission’s influence.  Lecturers used Inuit-made models to demonstrate elements of the culture, such as transportation, architecture, and clothing. Moravian audiences were particularly interested in the Inuit technology required for arctic travel.  Models like this one provided a glimpse of Inuit life.

This artifact is currently featured in the virtual exhibit Becoming Moravian.