After Inupiat hunters had successfully found game on the ocean, the fish and seal that had been harvested were put into net bags which were sealed with these ingenious "plug" devices.

In addition to sealing the bags, the plugs allowed them to float on the surface of the water, allowing other hunters in the party to retrieve and take the food to shore.

The plugs also honored the slain sea animals and called the protection of bird spirits, which were highly esteemed and spiritually significant to the Inupiat culture.