Inuit parka or anorak
A parka or anorak is a hooded coat, often lined with fur. It was invented by the Caribou Inuit, who live west of Hudson's Bay, in the Northwest Territories. It was designed for hunting or kayaking in the extreme Arctic cold and originally made of caribou or seal skin. It could be made water-resistant by coating it with fish oil. Modern-day parkas are influenced by this Inuit design.
The HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY
The Hudson's Bay Company was founded in 1670, and originally an English fur trading company. Before confederation, it functioned almost as a type of government in parts of Canada. The company controlled the North American fur trade for centuries, developing trading posts and relationships with the First Nations across Canada. The iconic Hudson's Bay point blanket first appeared in 1780. It was one of the main European items traded with native peoples in exchange for goods like beaver pelts, buffalo robes, pemmican, and moccasins.
When the fur trade declined, the Hudson's Bay Company changed their focus to selling supplies to Canadian settlers and prospectors. In modern times The Bay is a chain of retail stores, and the official clothing outfitter for Canada's Olympic athletes.
When the fur trade declined, the Hudson's Bay Company changed their focus to selling supplies to Canadian settlers and prospectors. In modern times The Bay is a chain of retail stores, and the official clothing outfitter for Canada's Olympic athletes.
HAIDA BUTTON BLANKETS
Button blankets are made by the Haida, and other First Nations of the BC Coast. Blankets were originally acquired in the mid 1900's, through trading with the Hudson's Bay Company, then decorated with red fabric and abalone shell buttons. They were worn as capes at ceremonial dances and potlaches. Similar Haida graphic designs can be seen in modern-day Canadian fashion.
Cowichan sweaters
Cowichan wool sweaters are popular with British Columbians and B.C. tourists. They have been knit by the Coast Salish peoples of Vancouver Island since the early 1900s. The Coast Salish originally wove with mountain goat wool and dog hair until European settlers brought sheep to Vancouver Island in the 1850s. Cowichan sweaters are a combination of traditional First Nations spinning and weaving methods, and the knitting techniques that were introduced by European settlers. Their earliest knitting needles were made of whale and deer bone. In recent years, large clothing companies have been challenged by allegations that they are counterfeiting Cowichan sweaters.
|
the red serge
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is unique as it is a national, provincial, and municipal policing body. It was founded by Sir John A. MacDonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. The RCMP began as the North West Mounted Police, a force to patrol the North West Territories, after the land was purchased from the Hudson's Bay Company. Its dress uniform, the Red Serge, is likely one of the most recognized uniforms in the world, and a symbol of our country. Due to Canada's British heritage, the scarlet jacket is based on British military style. The yellow stripe on the pant leg is a symbol of cavalry (troops that serve on horseback).
|