Clothing Design

Qimniq, Klengenberg’ wife, was an Inupiat from Point Hope Alaska. Prior to the family’s permanent move to the Kitikmeot region in 1916, Qimniq had of course been sewing clothing for the family following the Inupiat traditions of design and construction. She taught this sewing tradition to her eldest daughter Etna, and when the family moved into Copper Inuit territory the two continued producing Inupiat style clothing.

Qimniq Klengenberg and her two daughters, on left Lena, on right Etna, 1924. (National Archives of Canada/PA 172875)

Qimniq Klengenberg, wife of Charlie Klengenberg, 1924. (National Archives of Canada/PA 172882)

Shortly after their move Etna had a Inupiat style parka sewn for a woman named Manigogina in the tree river area. Women in the area began to use the pattern, and this parka style became the height of style among Copper Inuit. As the parka required more skins than traditional Copper Inuit patterns, and as the “Mother Hubbard” cotton cover for the inner parka required store-bought cloth, ownership of such a parka was a mark of affluence. The Inupiat style clothing patterns came to completely replace the traditional Copper Inuit styles, and are today considered traditional dress.

Copper Inuit Clothing, Front View (Diamond Jenness/CMC/51234)

Copper Inuit Clothing, Back View (Diamond Jenness/CMC/51235)

Copper Inuit Overcoat
(National Archives of Canada/C86071)