Clothing &

Weather in the Nass Valley is always changing. It can be very hot in summer and very cold in winter. It can rain heavily at any time, even after a heavy snowfall.

The Nisga'a needed clothing to protect themselves against heat, cold, rain and snow. Because snow and rain so often come together in the Nass Valley it was important for the Nisga'a to have clothes that would protect them from both the cold and the wet.

Weather forecasting

By paying close attention to their environment, Nisga'a became skilled at forcasting weather. They could tell if the approaching winter would be cold or warm, or if there would be a lot of snow.

By paying close attention to the night sky Nisga'a knew when the tideswould be large or small. They could also tell when each speciesof fish would bagain to gok up river and creeks

Nisga'a used many different kinds of materials to make their clothing. They used furs and leathers, the inner bark of many different kinds of trees, some roots, and wool. The wool that Nisga'a used came from mountaain goats. Nisga'a did not knot with wool, they used their wool for weaving.

All materials they used to make clothes came either from the Nass Valley ot from trade with neighbours who lived near Nass Valley.

Sun Block & Fly Repellent

To protect their scin from both the hot summer sun, wind, and bitting insects such as mosquitoes and black flies, Nisga'a rubbed their skin with a mixture of soot and either oolichan grease or bear fat.

Nisga'a Treaty - This is where you can get the Nisga'a Treaty documentation.

What People Wore	Snowshoes
Raingear	Clothes For Hunting

Clothing & Environment