Smiler's bones

the long version

In 1897, Robert Peary took six Eskimos from their homes and "presented" them to the American Museum of Natural History in New York as a living exhibit. Two of them were father and son: Qisuk ("Smiler") and Minik. This is Minik's story. In 1897, famed explorer Robert Peary took six Eskimos from their homes in Greenland to be "presented" to the American Museum of Natural History. Among the six were a father and a son. Soon, four were dead, including the father (whose bones, unbeknownst to the son, were put on display). One returned to Greenland. And the other -- the young boy -- remained, the only Eskimo in New York for twelve years. His name was Minik. This is his story. A story of lies and deceptions. A story about the price of exploration. A story about discovering the truth of a culture. In 1897, Robert Peary took six Eskimos from their homes and "presented" them to the American Museum of Natural History in New York as a living exhibit. Two of them were father and son: Qisuk ("Smiler") and Minik. This is Minik's story.