Child's parka made from the neck skin and feathers of loons and trimmed with fur. The seams are sewn with sinew thread made from the dried shredded tendons of animals. Said to be waterproof and warm, this parka was made for trade to European Canadians.
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Did
You Know? This parka was made at Kimmirut (Lake Harbour) located on the southwestern shore of Baffin Island, Nunavut. The Kimmirut have inhabited this area for centuries and were one of the first Inuit groups to come into contact with European traders.
In 2005, the population of the Kimmirut Inuit Band was approximately 345 people.
The Inuit also used the loon skin to make bags and the feathers and beaks of that bird were attached to special caps used at drum dances. The loon has a special place in Inuit beliefs and there are many legends associated with this beautiful waterfowl.
It is a powerful spiritual helper and, according to one story, was responsible for curing a young boy of his blindness. Today, the loon is often depicted as a subject in the contemporary art of the Inuit.
