Threads of Tradition: An Inuit Woman’s Modern Take on Native Clothing

Admired Craftsmanship

In 2016, a chance encounter with a group of cruise ship passengers changed the course of Alice’s life. Alice's job was greeting tourists disembarking in Nome, Alaska, from the Crystal Serenity's maiden voyage—the first luxury cruise ship to transit the Northwest Passage. Wearing a traditional native garment called a Kuspuk/Qaspaq, Alice warmly welcomed passengers to the land her ancestors had called home for time immemorial. The guests commented on her coat and asked if it was waterproof, as they were looking for a jacket that would keep them dry in the rain. Unfortunately, the tourists were out of luck, but the idea of designing and selling waterproof Kuspuk/Qaspaqs was planted in Alice’s imagination. Today, through an abundance of creativity and determination, Naataq Gear was born, and everyone can wear a modern take on a piece of clothing that honors Alice’s heritage and shares with the world the rich culture of ancestral craftsmanship, ensuring a historical link to a long line of Native women who sewed for their family and community.

Stitched in Tradition

The word Kuspuk/Qaspaq is the phonetic translation, which means “cloth over parka.”

Originally made from seal guts or skin, the Kuspuk/Qaspaq was a tunic length overcoat with a large front pocket. A very special tight stitching made the garment essentially water-proof. A summer Kuspuk/Qaspaq was made using cloth and would protect the wearer from mosquitoes in the lush tundra. Each region had their own unique take on the Kuspuk/Qaspaq, which would identify not only the gender but the region and specific tribe.

“I was very mindful to design a general Kuspuk/Qaspaq,” says Alice. “The Kuspuk/Qaspaq is not a design I own. This belongs to our culture in Alaska and I wanted to make sure I did it right and was respectful.”

Alice spent a year designing prototypes and researching how to create a garment inspired by the traditional Kuspuk/Qaspaq. Thanks to the internet, she found a U.S. women-owned manufacturer that specializes in cold-weather gear. “We keep the same innovative design, cherished and used for hundreds of years, but incorporate today’s modern fabrics.” Using a polyester fabric that’s wind-resistant and waterproof, they also added a zipper pocket, making it a very functional outdoor garment.

Before producing her Kuspuk/Qaspaq, Alice consulted with tribal Elders and her family. “It was very important to me to have input from my community because this is not just a garment, it is a shared history.” Alice remembers growing up watching her mom and aunts sew parkas, mittens, and Kuspuk/Qaspaqs. “I learned what needed to go into a garment by watching family members sew. When you share art—how things have been done in the past—how stitches are made—and why the pattern is the way it is—it becomes instilled in you. There are years of history being passed down from generation to generation when a garment is sewed,” explains Alice.

Honoring Her Family and Community

Alice credits her family with giving her the confidence to go down this path, and it is her family that continues to support Naataq Gear. “My children help in the shop, fulfill online orders and pick up freight. My husband, who is an attorney, helps with paperwork. From the beginning, with designing, sketching, and opening the shop, it has been my family and my community supporting me.”

Today, Naataq Gear has an expanded selection of styles and colors. Initially, Alice expected tourists to be her main customers, but surprisingly, local Alaskans have embraced her clothing. “I am so grateful for their acceptance and approval,” said Alice. “I’m offering a beautiful, innovative garment that is not only meaningful but puts our culture on the forefront. This shows that we are a thriving Alaskan Inuit community.”

Please visit their on-line shop at: www.naataqgear.com. Store is located at 113 Front Street Suite 216, Nome, Alaska 99762. (907) 304-1154