The social organization of the Inuit can be considered to be that of a "band". In general, Inuit thought of themselves in terms of small groups of people who lived within a geographical area. The word "muit" refers to "the people of" are particular area. The band usually consisted of anywhere from 60 to 300 people. An individual traced his or her relationship bilaterally (that is, from both parents). These bands typically consisted of a series of camps or settlements. Several households or even a single, larger household made up one of these camps.

The smallest unit of Inuit social organization was the household. This consisted of a nuclear family (parents and their offspring) and other relatives such as grandparents, newly married children and their spouses (and children) and sometimes more distant relatives without families.

Division of labor within this household group was essential for Inuit survival. Adult men and women made decisions in partnership. Men were responsible for the more life-and-death decisions such as group movement and economic strategies within this partnership.

Camps with several households usually had a de facto leader. This individual held this place in the group due to experience and seniority. His advice was sought at times. In groups where there was a more permanent settlement (western Alaska), this "leader" took on more authority over social, ritual, and economic affairs.

Bands had at least one shaman (angakuk) who was a religious specialist. Each camp might have had such a person depending on the size of these camps. The shaman could exercise a leadership function in Inuit society. The role of the shaman was usually assumed by men, but sometimes by women. The shaman's power over the community, however, was negative in the sense that a shaman could influence through fear. This typically put the group in debt to the shaman. While they may be disliked, shamans were always important social forces, exerting control over the lives of every individual within their influence. Very seldomly did secular and shamanistic power overlap.