Luke Iksiktaaryuk, like his contemporaries in the "First Generation" of Baker Lake artists, spent his formative years immersed in hunting and other traditional activities, experiences that would later inspire his graphic works.

Originating from the Lower Kazan River area before migrating to Qamani’tuaq, Iksiktaaryuk’s inland roots meant that caribou and birds were central to his hunting practice. The Herd is noteworthy not only for its design but also for Iksiktaaryuk’s choice to depict the animals without any human presence, emphasizing their significance to him.

The composition features dozens of caribou, skillfully outlined without interior modelling and vividly inked in flat yellow by William Kanak. Despite their uniform profile stances, the caribou are far from static; variations in head positions and body proportions introduce dynamism. The attention to detail in the antlers is particularly striking, with each set displaying unique curves and some foreshortened to suggest depth. Similarly, the two geese on the left, though simplified in form, are rendered with precision, showcasing a clear understanding of their anatomy in the careful depiction of their leg joints and wings.