PRE-CONTACT TIMES
Long ago, before European goods made their way inland to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditional territory, women used a variety of natural materials to create clothing and personal items for their families. Much of what we know about pre-contact clothing and adornment comes from our Elders’ memories, a handful of items housed in various collections, and the journals of early explorers and traders. Northern Athapaskans (Gwich’in/ Kutchin/Loucheux, Han, etc) wore similar styles of garments. Adults wore tunics and leggings made from tanned caribou and moose hides. The cut of male and female tunics differed slightly. The lower edges of men’s tunics were often pointed at the back and front while women’s tunics may only be pointed at the back, if at all. In older times the leggings had moccasins attached. The animal’s hair was left intact on winter garments and worn on the inside against the skin. Mitts, hats, and other personal
Photo: National Museum of Scotland published in Andrews, 2006.