This iconic photograph captures a young Inuit girl carrying a husky puppy on her back in 1949
In frozen stillness of the Canadian Arctic, photographer Richard Harrington captured a moment of quiet warmth amid the vast, unforgiving landscape: It depicts a common scene of life in the Arctic, showcasing the close relationship between Inuit people and their dogs, which are essential for transportation and companionship in harsh environments – a young Inuit girl, bundled in traditional fur-lined clothing, gently cradling her husky puppy. The girl’s face, round with youth and framed by a thick parka hood, glows with a shy pride, while the puppy nestles contentedly in her arms, its thick coat mirroring the snow-covered world around them.
Harrington, known for his empathetic and respectful documentation of Indigenous communities in the North, took this photo during a series of expeditions across the Arctic. At a time when southern Canada knew little about Inuit life beyond stereotypes, his work revealed not just hardship, but resilience, tenderness, and humanity.
This image is more than a charming portrait—it’s a testament to endurance and companionship in a land of extremes. The girl and her pup represent generations of survival shaped by the cold, by community, and by the deep bond between people and animals. Through Harrington’s lens, we glimpse a world that is harsh but deeply alive—with spirit, history, and connection etched into every frame.
Today, the image has been widely shared and recognized as a historical representation of Inuit culture