Details

Object type

parka

Culture/School

Native North American : Arctic & Subarctic : Inuvialuit

Place Associated

North America, Northern Canada, MacKenzie River, probably (place found)

Date

before 1902

Materials

caribou skin, wolverine fur, diver bird skin, ermine sakin, eagle feather, wool

Dimensions

overall: 1005 mm x 900 mm 1310 g

Description

This Inuvialuit parka is from the MacKenzie River area of North West Canada and is a part of an outfit that also includes trousers and a pair of boots. The parka is made primarily of caribou skin worn with the fur outside. It was purchased in 1902 from Mrs E.K. Wilkie of Edinburgh. In 1901 Mrs Wilkie travelled to Alaska to visit her brother-in-law Bishop Peter Trimble Rowe the first bishop of the American Episcopal Church in Sitka. Mrs Wilkie purchased an unspecified number of objects from Lt. George Thornton Emmons, a retired US Navy Lieutenant and a renowned collector of Native American material culture who also sold similar material to the Smithsonian Institute. The hood is made from the head of a caribou while the trousers are made from the hind legs of a caribou. The parka's hood and cuffs are trimmed with wolverine fur. An eagle feather hangs down between the two caribou ears. Often feathers were attached to parkas to endow speed and endurance to the Wearer. Caribou ears are found on the hoods of men's parkas throughout the Arctic. The ears are a reference to the hunter's prey and symbolically transferred the caribou's power of hearing to the hunter to improve his ability to pursue game. The hood also has triangular insets of white caribou belly fur that continue onto the jacket front. The seams and edges of the parka are decorated with red and blue wool tufts. The Great Northern diver bird and ermine skins attached to this parka were powerful spiritual protectors of mythical importance. Ornaments, such as these were frequently attached to the clothing of men, women and children. The suit is of finer quality than everyday wear and would have been worn on ceremonial occasions rather than for hunting.

ID Number

1902.8.bk.1

Location

Kelvingrove Life Gallery