Winter moccasins with caribou skin liners - whààkeè

These winter moccasins were made in 1978 by a group of women sewing for Operation Heritage in Behchokǫ̀.  They are made of caribou skin in a traditional style and have liners made with caribou skin with the hair left on.  Mrs. Bernadette Williah recounts that when the hair was left on the hide, people would tan the hide on the inside only.  In this way linings were made for shoes and mitts.  In the old days that was done so that every family member had something wear in the cold weather months. 

Operation Heritage was a community project in Behchokǫ̀ to pass on the skills of making traditional tools and clothing to younger people. 

Object credit:  Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre  978.027.003
Photo credit:   S.Irving/PWNHC