From a collection of other educational materials produced by Alaskan Inupiaq, Chris Kiana.

In his own words;
"The name for the cultural and traditional toy probably originated from someone who traveled to Alaska over a hundred years ago, saw an Eskimo twirling two objects in circles attached to a string, associated it with the American yoyo, and named it the Eskimo YoYo. The Eskimo YoYo has been with the Northern Hemisphere Eskimos for centuries, if not thousands of years. In its earlier years of use, it was probably used as a bolo weapon against enemies. The bolotype weapon was also tossed in a twirling and circular motion at small game for foodgathering purposes."

Chris Kiana was taught how to use the Eskimo YoYo by his grandfather when he was three years old. He had been traditionally given a
twirling Eskimo YoYo. Chris started inventing tricks for the cultural artifact in the 1980s after finding out nothing was written on the operations of the Eskimo YoYo.
In 1985 he wrote a book of 50 tricks, then in 1992 a book of 100 tricks and a 2 edition of 100 tricks in 2004. From 19891993, through Takotna Video (George Miller, owner and now deceased) they made a series of VHS videos on the operations of the Eskimo YoYo, children's stories that Chris wrote and explanations of Alaskan traditional and cultural artifacts. in 2009 he created a DVD version of the several VHS tapes he helped create.

Language Disclaimer: Please note Chris Kiana is Inupiaq from here Alaska where the word "Eskimo" is still used by some members of the Northern Alaska Native communities to self describe. In Canada this word although IS derogatory. There still are Native Alaskans still refer to themselves as "Eskimos", in part because the word "Inuit" isn't part of the Yupik languages of Alaska and Siberia. But UNLESS you're native to the circumpolar region, the short answer is: You probably shouldn't use the word "Eskimo". Although as time goes on the word is falling out of favor in Alaska and Siberia, but this change is more recent than the recording of this tape.