Today’s Inuit use a combination of Euro-Christian given names with Inuit surnames. This has not always been the practice. Prior to the first half of the 20th century, the Inuit did not use surnames. Traditional Inuit names reflected things of importance (family, spirits, animals, the environment) and were neither gender-specific nor recognized shared family names.
By the 1920s, there was a push by missionaries, fur trade employees and government officials to identify the Inuit in accordance with European norms and the patriarchal social model. These groups believed that the lack of surnames and consistent spelling made it difficult to identify each Inuk for trading, census information, and other records. The introduction of disc numbers was implemented not only to identify Inuit, but also to administer the distribution of family allowance, other benefits, and health care.
Taking the census and checking on family allowance matters, Windy River, [N.W.T. (Nunavut)], December 10, 1950 (MIKAN 3380264)
Finally, in 1941, the federal government chose to register each Inuk with a unique numeric identifier, which was stamped on a disc or printed on a card. These identifiers were often called “Eskimo disc numbers” or ujamiit (ujamik) in Inuktitut. The Inuit were required to carry these numbers on their person, so they were often sewn onto clothing or hung from laces around the neck. These numbers were used until 1972 except in Quebec where the practice continued for a few more years.
Following are three photographs of a family taken sequentially holding their disc number that was written on a chalkboard.
Portrait of a man [David Arnatsiaq] holding a small chalkboard with the number 6008, at Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik/Tununiq), Nunavut, August 1945 (MIKAN 3606623)
Portrait of a woman [Tuurnagaaluk] holding a small chalkboard with the number 6009, at Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik/Tununiq), Nunavut, August 1945 (MIKAN 3606624)
Portrait of a woman [either Juunaisi or Eunice Arreak] holding a small chalkboard with the number 6010, at Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik/Tununiq), Nunavut, August 1945 (MIKAN 3606625)
Library and Archives Canada holds evidence of the disc number system in photographs and documents, such as lists of individuals and their disc numbers, as well as lists showing the transition to surnames and social insurance numbers. Note that these records are restricted as they contain personal information.
I have a carving with the number 78815-3 on the bottom…how can I find out the name of the artist?
Thank you for your question. The best source for an answer would be to get in touch with a gallery specializing in Inuit art,
Hello there, I am researching a group of Inuit art carvings here in Ireland with the disc numbers E8141, E5328 and ES319 – or should the last read E5319? I would be grateful for any advice to dates and names, many thanks.
Hello, My name is Levi Palituq and i live in Clyde River. The E5 was Clyde River’s number. maybe if we see pictures of the carvings we can help.
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Hello im wondering how to find a number. My mom had a tag number but since she past i dont know where to find it.
Thanks
Hello,
Apologies for the delay in responding, I wanted to make sure that the answer was complete.
I would recommend that you submit an Access to Information request. To make the request, you should visit this page on our website and follow the instructions in the “How to submit an Access to Information Request” section. It includes a link to the online form: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/transparency/atippr/Pages/how-to-make-request.aspx
A comprehensive list of the disc numbers are in:
RG85-D-1-c, volumes 1904 to 1908, MIKAN 135018.
(A link to the description is here: http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ourl/res.php?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_tim=2018-01-04T18%3A19%3A27Z&url_ctx_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=135018&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fcollectionscanada.gc.ca%3Apam&lang=eng)
Please make sure to include your mother’s name and where she lived (this is because the records are organized by district). I have checked with ATIP and it is not necessary for you to submit proof of your mother’s passing in order to get the disc number.
I hope this helps you in your search.
ATIP: Access to Information and Privacy.
I understand that a photo was taken of the people that were given names. my number was E5-1676. I was wondering how I can get a hold of the photo that was taken of me.
Hello Mr. Irngaut,
the archival records about disc numbers are restricted and not available to the public freely.
I would recommend that you search for your community in the archival or image search (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search/arch) and see if there are photos there. Another search avenue would be to ask a question through the Ask us a question form. Reference services would be able to guide you in your search.
Good luck!
At the end of the article it says that Disc Numbers were used until 1972 except in Québec where the practice continued for a few more years. Do you know when Québec stopped using the Disc Numbers ?
Hi,
I am trying to identify the artist at the link below, but no numbers on the bottom seem to conform to the Disk Number format. There are maybe Inuit symbols on the bottom, maybe a name that looks like “KA LA RA “, but I can’t decipher the row below that and part of the top row is obscured by the label. If someone can point me in right direction, I would appreciate it.
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/266006-soapstone-seal-or-walrus-carving-with-ca
That’s a great question. Our Reference section should be able to provide you with more information about disc numbers. Please use our Ask us a question form.
Hello…I am in Ireland and I have a stone carving which has a number E97313 or E91373 …the 1s and 7s are not distinct. It also has a signature which ends with the letters EON….. the final four letters are PEON or REON.. Can anyone help identify the artist? I believe this carving was bought in the 1950s/60s