Aboriginal Cultural Activities

Add this Collection to My Content

Many of this site's behavioral enhancements will only function in a modern browser that supports the Document Object Model and JavaScript. However the site will still be usable with most user agents that do not support the DOM/JavaScript (or have support turned off). For a more enjoyable experience we recommend you use a modern browser like Firefox.

You will be missing the following functionality:

Date formatting on forms
Subject checkbox validation on forms
Validation of maximum length requirements on textarea inputs text on forms
Content tables displayed with stripes
Rich text editor present on certain textarea form fields will not display. (Collection Introduction, Collection References, Collection Credits and Acknowledgements, Digital Asset Text)
The inline back button won't work. Use the browser back button to go back
The finish button won't work. Use the main navigation to move through the process

Caribou Hair Tufting

Add this Learning Object to My Content

Print this Learning Object

Learning Objectives

Browse Other Learning Resources

Share Lessons and Create Projects

Interact in Your Online Classroom

Background

Add this Media File to My Content

Caribou and moose hair tufting is a First Nations art form of considerable beauty and of economic significance in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Strips of hide with attached hair is harvested from fleshed animals, dyed, dried and stored for use. Tufts of hair are attached to velvet fabric with a canvas backing through the use of loops of thread and knotted on the back of the canvas. Designs are trimmed with scissors.

View the complete asset

Coloured Caribou Hair

Add this Media File to My Content

Hair is harvested from hides provided by Renewable Resources and Hunters. Neck hair is the best. Hair needs to be clean, no bugs and all going in the same direction. Store dyes work fine. Hair will last years if stored in air tight tupperware containers with moth balls. Use a cool room.

Peter Menzies

© 2008, Najuqsivik Community Museum. All Rights Reserved.

View the complete asset

Dyed hair on hide

Add this Media File to My Content

The hair is stored still attached to hide.

When ready to use, the hide with attached hair is removed from storage. The hair will be cut off as needed.

Peter Menzies

© 2008, Najuqsivik Community Museum. All Rights Reserved.

View the complete asset

Attaching the hair

Add this Media File to My Content

Starting from the back of the canvas, the needles pushes up from the bottom, forms a loop and is returned back down close to the first hole. A group of hairs is placed inside the loop and the needle pulls the loop downward, pulling on the hair and causing it to stand up.

Peter Menzies
Twyla Wheeler

© 2008, Najuqsivik Community Museum. All Rights Reserved.

View the complete asset

Form knot on canvas

Add this Media File to My Content

After hair is pulled tight, tie knot on canvas

A strong knot is required on the back of the canvas to hold the hair in place. Each loop requires knotting.

View the complete asset

Trimming hair

Add this Media File to My Content

After the hair is secured, it can be trimmed with sharp scissors. Other hair can be left untrimmed.

View the complete asset

Final Product

Add this Media File to My Content

The finished product is quite rugged and easy to carry. It can be placed in frames and makes a nice display of northern art.

View the complete asset

Learning Objectives

1. Northern Tutchone art and draft traditions.
2. Use of Animal Hides and respect for animals
3. Hands - on traditional skills and how to learn
4. Developing Art skills -- creativity, technical tasks

Teachers' Centre Home Page | Find Learning Resources & Lesson Plans | Share Lessons and Create Projects | Interact in Your Online Classroom