Clothing

Visitors to Inuvialuit communities often enjoy seeing the needlework talents involved in the creation of outer garments, particularly those worn in the winter.

In the past, winter clothing was made entirely from animal furs and hides. Today, fabric parkas, trimmed with fur for protection from wind and snow, are popular. Beautiful muskrat fur coats may also occasionally be seen.

While they are in town, women wear two-layer Mother Hubbard style parkas, decorated with individual Delta braid designs and trimmed with a sunburst ruff of wolf or wolverine fur.

Men also wear two-layer parkas made of fabric and duffel, and often, a muskrat hat to keep the head and ears warm.

Mukluks (boots) made of caribou skin, sealskin, rabbit skin, or muskox wool provide water and wind protection for the feet. Fur mitts, sometimes with braided "idiot strings" that attach them to the parka, help keep hands warm.

In the summer, both men and women wear an atikluk - the outer shell of a parka - which is not only cooling in hot weather but also offers protection from northern mosquitoes.

Moccasin dancing slippers made of moose hide, sewn with sinew, and featuring colourful beadwork and appliqué, are a must for Old Time Dances.