Weaving together Indigenous expertise and Western science in Arctic clothing – National Research Council Canada
July 13, 2023
In the Canadian Arctic, where temperatures rarely rise above 0 and can dip to −70°C, staying warm is a priority for those living and working there. Typical factory-made garments don’t always provide enough protection from frostbite and hypothermia. But over the centuries, Indigenous Peoples have crafted cozy clothing to battle the elements using natural materials such as sealskin, eiderdown and qiviut (muskox wool fibres).
These renewable resources offer exceptional thermal insulation qualities—and are biodegradable. They have much less impact on landfills and oceans than plastic-based synthetic textiles like polyester, which are becoming a major environmental threat.
A recent study led by the NRC’s Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre through the NRC’s Arctic and Northern Challenge program collected valuable data on the performance of Indigenous-made clothing and will examine possibilities for increased up production to support those working in Arctic environments. These include researchers, maintenance staff, pilots, tour operators and military and coast guard personnel.
