What did the naskapi wear?

Answer 1

THe Naskapi were the northern bands of the Montagnais tribe, in the subarctic areas of northern Quebec and Labrador. Their clothes reflected their environment, as you would expect.

At the time of first contact with French explorers in 1613, men either wore a kind of kilt or a breechclout of soft caribou hide. Leggings were long, tied to the belt and with straps under the foot; these leggings were often dyed red and fringed, with beads or bits of shell attached. Winter leggings were of fur. Shirts were made of caribou hide with the fur left on and worn next to the skin - they were tailored to give a snug fit.

Women originally wore a belted strap-and-sleeve dress like those of the Ojibwe, where the sleeves were separate and could be removed. Short leggings were tied at the knee and were decorated around the ankle.

Soft soled high moccasins or boots often had waterproof sealskin soles; in winter several pairs of moccasins were worn inside each other. Snowshoes were widely used for travel and hunting.

Warm robes of bearskin, moose hide or the skins of beaver had detachable sleeves, all decorated with broad stripes. Sometimes Eskimo-style hooded parkas of caribou hide were used. Coats of beautiful white tanned leather had painted and incised linear designs - these were a trademark of the Naskapi.

Men and women both wore their hair long and loose. Hoods of various kinds were the usual head covering.

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