Fine waterproof seal skin boots, such as these made by Angootealuk of Coral Harbour, are held in high regard by hunters throughout the Canadian Arctic.
1986
BSM P88.164

Lithograph of Iglulik Inuit women wearing traditional skin amauti and leggings.
George Lyon, 1874.
Library and Archives of Canada, C-25704

Iglulik Inuit

Kamiks of the Iglulik Inuit

Seal and caribou are the primary types of skin used by Iglulik Inuit for boots. Caribou body skins and leg skins are made into boots for cold weather hunting, while haired seal skin boots or niururiak are worn in the fall or winter in dry, cold conditions, and shaved seal skin boots or maaktaliik in wet conditions. These are made specifically for hunters and travelers to survive in the wet or extreme cold. A good pair of boots increases their ability to survive on the land, and therefore increases their success in the hunt. Sometimes old kayak skins were recycled to make waterproof kamiks when resources were scarce. In the early 20th century, Iglulik women wore caribou skin leggings with pouches, in which they could keep their supplies. The leggings extended from just over the top of the boots to mid-thigh and were attached to a belt.

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Depilated sealskin hip waders for kayaking.