# Ootah — A Negro Explorer at the North Pole character guide

> Ootah in A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** faithful old Ootah

**First appearance:** 0002-a-negro-explorer-at-the-north-pole

## Who they are

Faithful old Ootah, an Inuit hunter and dog driver, knows the ice like scripture and carries the expedition's survival in his hands and harness.

## In the story

### [A Negro Explorer at the North Pole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/a-negro-explorer-at-the-north-pole)

Inuit hunter and dog driver, providing essential support.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as one of the Eskimo companions; Henson saw an Eskimo felled by a rock, likely referring to Ootah or another.

### [VII Sledging to Cape Columbia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/vii)

Eskimo companion who froze his great toe; thawed it under Henson's bearskin shirt.

### [Fighting Up the Polar Sea—Held Up by the 'Big Lead'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xi)

Henson's Eskimo companion; breaks his sledge, expresses desire to return to the ship, but is ordered to stay by Peary.

### [Pioneering the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xii)

Leads the crossing of an open lead with the utmost care; described as the most experienced Eskimo in Henson's team.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xiv)

Not explicitly named in this chapter, but the Eskimo boys are referenced as part of the parties.

### [The Pole!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xv)

Oldest Eskimo, married, great hunter; loyal companion who has saved Henson's life and vice versa.

### [The Return Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xvi)

Included among the Eskimos who, with Peary and Henson, look back on the return as a horrid nightmare.

### [The Roosevelt Starts for Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xix)

Attempts to shoot a seal and harpoon a narwhal, but fails to secure either.

### [Appendix II: List of Smith Sound Eskimos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/appendix-ii-list-of-smith-sound-eskimos)

Listed as O̍o-tah* in the appendix, indicating a male Eskimo.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/characters/ootah
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/characters