Kila Arnauyuk and Jennie Kanneyuk, Copper Inuit women, wearing caribou-skin clothing.
Photograph: George H. Wilkins, Coronation Gulf, Northwest Territories, 1916.
Canadian Museum of Civilization 51249.

The Inuit of Canada's Arctic live in one of the world's most extreme climates. Their clothing has been one of the keys to survival.

When Inuit lived exclusively on the land, caribou and seal were the main sources of clothing material. The insulating properties of caribou fur made it ideal for protection from the harsh winters. Sealskin was preferred for footwear because of its durability and water-resistance. To conserve heat, skin garments were designed so that adjacent pieces of clothing overlapped. Further insulation was provided by wearing two layers.

Although the struggle to sustain life must have been a constant challenge, Inuit seamstresses found the creativity to make clothing that not only provided physical protection, but also expressed their culture. Clothing defined the wearer's age, gender, occupation, and geographic location.

The arrival of Europeans in the North provoked cultural changes that found expression in Inuit clothing. Access to trade goods, such as glass beads, fabric, and metal, added a new dimension to personal adornment and clothing decoration. Some of these materials were fashioned into new forms of dress and adornment; others were combined with existing clothing traditions in creative and artistic ways.