What is chimo?

Chimo is a term used in Inuktitut, the language spoken by the Inuit peoples of the Arctic regions, to express greetings or goodbye. It is also commonly used as an expression of solidarity or encouragement.

Chimo was used as the radio code word by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the early 20th century to signal contact with isolated Inuit communities. During this time, the RCMP helped to establish telegraph and radio communications systems in the North, and chimo became the standard greeting between police officers and Inuit community members.

Today, the word chimo is still used by many Inuit people and non-Inuit people living in northern Canada as a friendly greeting and way of expressing solidarity and mutual support. It has also become a symbol of Inuit cultural identity and resilience, as well as a symbol of the deep connections between the land, people, and animals of the Arctic.