Clothing
These goggles are made of caribou bone. Eye protection is needed from 'snow blindness' and even reflection from the water in the summer. In the summer, we get close to 24 hours of daylight. These goggles effectively shut out much of the glare.
Caribou Mitts
These mitts are amazingly warm. Some people use wool or duffel liners inside--as needed depending on fit.
Caribou parka
This caribou parka out performs my 'Canada Snowgoose; Snow Mantra Parka!' The Mantra is about the warmest parka a person can buy. However, the caribou parka is remarkably light and warm. The one shown here is the outer parka. Traditionally, there would be an inner one too. The inner one was worn with the fur turned inward. Now days, most people seem to wear regular clothing under the outer partka--like a sweater et. cetera. This parka is made from a younger caribou's fall coat. Hence, it is not riddled with insect holes and is more pliable--easier to wear and stetch.
The caribou parka is not fully tanned and must therefore be kept in a cool place--not indoors. The hide is scraped and stretched, but not tanned. There is a mild odour, but it is not that bad. I hardly notice the hide smell anymore.
I have worn a t-shirt under this parka in -40C windchill and was warm. With a sweater under this parka, I can easily manage -45C with a windchill temperature of -65C.
Well thats how it has worked so far--I am sure I will see colder days here in the end of January and February.
I found these neat little slippers at a craft sale here. I put my own light wool liners in them and wear them both in school and on the land. Surprisingly, my feet stay warm even at temperatures below -30C. However, if i am going out for an afternoon, I will wear larger & warmer footwear. Notice the fur on the bottom of these. This a great feature that offers traction on slippery surfaces and reduces the wear on the leather. This fur layer is attached after the the slipper is made. The slipper has the hair turned inward for warmth.
Sealskin; caribou palms; wolf trim.
From Nain Labrador (adult seals hunted for meat).
Kamiks: made by Barbara (Utatnaq) Beveridgy.
Beautifully crafted kamiks by our neighbors who also sold us a good working snowmobile.
Rabbit skin outer with caribou palms.
