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Parkas add touch of home to Kotzebue hospital elders' wing

August 10th 2:32 pm | Tommy Wells Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Maniilaq wanted to make the atmosphere in the elders' wing at the Kotzebue hospital more reminiscent of home.

But how?

Edward and Agnes Hailstone, along with their daughters Tinmiaq and Iriqtaq, had the answer — an array of authentic parkas that could remind the elders of growing up.

The Noorvik family highlighted a year-long effort to create the parkas last week when they put their creations on display in Kotzebue.

"It is pretty exciting to see it," said Tinmiaq. "We worked for a while on them, so we're pretty excited about it."

Maniilaq contracted with the Hailstones to produce four handmade parkas, including one for an infant that came complete with a caribou fawn hat and diaper. The man's and woman's parka came with matching pants.

"We wanted to create something the elders could see, and something they could relate to," said Tinmiaq.

To create the parkas, the Hailstones worked through several hunting seasons to accumulate the furs needed.

"It took us a while to get them (furs) because you have to wait for the seasons. That was the longest part."

The family did get some help in hunting and preparing the skins, Tinmiaq said, Her older brother, Jonathan Carter helped his father catch caribou, wolverine, seal and beaver. Once caught, they scraped the skins clean. Once the hides had been prepared, Agnes, Tinmiaq and Iriqtaq cut out the pieces needed and began assembling.

Tinmiaq also prepared handmade sinew to sew the pieces together.

The parkas were made in two pieces, and inner and outer section. The men's parka was made of caribou skin with wolverine and beaver trimming. The accompanying pants were made from wolf leg skin.

"The women's inside and outside parka were made from caribou skin, and came with caribou skin pants. The little girl's parka was created from caribou fawn skin. All four parkas came with mittens, with the girl's and baby's being made from seal skin.

Tinmiaq said the process of creating the parks and other items was a skill that had been passed down from her grandparents to her parents, and to their children.

"My mom was the 14th of 15th children and her parents taught her how," she said.

Agnes Hailstone is the daughter of Joe K. Carter Sr., who passed away a few years ago at the age of 106.

 

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