New Addition to the Family

The Annual Christmas Craft Fair was held this past weekend. It is a huge event with people from all over the North coming to sell their traditional crafts. This doll was made by the grandmother of the head custodian in our school (a grandmother herself!). She actually wasn't selling it in the craft fair, but she brought it in the school to see if it would sell. These dolls sell for at least $150 in the fair and are only going to increase in value after these Elders are gone and there is no one left to make these traditional dolls.

This is a traditional parka. I have seen many women wearing coats very similar to this.

The fur around the hood and the bottom of the traditional parka is wolverine according to the custodian, but we think it's beaver. Either way, it is sewn on by hand and looks just like the real parkas the women wear around town. Underneath the parka is the second layer. This is usually made of a thick felt-like material.
Under this layer is a pair of pants and a shirt. The mukluks (boots) are either made of fox or martin.


I don't remember what this is called, but it is worn by many people over their coats. Large hand-made mitts (usually fur) are attached to the end. This braided cord is used to keep your mitts handy at all times. (Remember when your mom used to braid yarn and feed it through the sleeves of your coat? This is similar only it's more gaudy.)