A large, open boat used in Greenland and other Arctic peoples, made of seal or other animal skins stretched on a wooden (driftwood) or whalebone frame. It was called the woman's boat, as opposed to the kayak, the men's hunting and fishing boat. It was paddled and either round or elongated, like the birchbark canoe. The umiak was used by women for transporting themselves, children, the elderly, and possessions. It was also used by the men for whaling.