Peter Pitseolak – Inuit, photographer

In the 1940’s, Peter Pitseolak was working in Cape Dorset Nunavut, and got his hands on his first camera. He developed his very first photos in a hunting igloo.

By the time he died in 1973, he had more than 1500 photos and negatives, which were acquired by the Canadian Museum of Civilization. His work documented the shift for Inuit, from living on the land to living in settlements.

His photos were known for showing Inuit families in real life situations.

Pitseolak was also a carver and painter, and the high school in Cape Dorset carries his name.