In Inuit mythology, the sea goddess who is the mother of all sea creatures is Sedna.
Sedna is known as the Mother of the Sea, Mistress of the Sea, or mistress of marine animals. Inuit groups tell several versions of her origin, but many describe her sinking to the ocean floor after her father cuts off her fingers while she clings to his kayak. Her severed fingers become seals, walruses, whales, and other sea animals, making her the supernatural source and guardian of the creatures on which Arctic communities depend.
Sedna’s home is often identified with Adlivun, an underworld or realm beneath the sea. Because she controls access to marine animals, hunters must respect her and observe cultural rules. When people violate taboos, she may withhold the animals, causing hunger. In some traditions, an angakkuq, or shaman, travels to Sedna, combs her tangled hair, and restores her goodwill.
The name Sedna is widely used in English, but different Inuit communities use names such as Nuliajuk, Nerrivik, Sassuma Arnaa, and Arnakuagsak. These regional names reflect related but not always identical traditions.