A study was conducted to determine the reasons for variable success in relocating Eskimo families from rural areas of the northern territories of Canada to southern centers of industrial employment (railways, mining centers). The data were collected by interviewing 105 Eskimos, both male and female, married and single, who had migrated south. The findings revealed that Eskimo men were considered valuable workers by their employers, but because both men and women lacked comprehension of informal rules governing behavior in southern communities, they had difficulty in adjusting to community life styles. This sometimes resulted in excessive drinking by both sexes, deviations from "normative" behavior, and a desire to return to northern home settlements. Inadequate housing and kin obligations were found to be other reasons for returning home. Some of the suggestions made to help the Eskimo assimilate were: (1) provide instruction in proper behavior in realistic terms; (2) provide adequate housing; (3) implement a seasonal employment scheme in view of long-term benefits; and (4) to permit self-sufficient Eskimos to phase from their special status as ward of the government to the regular status of a Candian worker. (RH)