INDIGENOUS CLOTHING RESEARCH
Garments - Historical Resources
A list of sources with a focus on historical garments. Includes books, texts, descriptions, photos, etc. Keep in mind that some of these resources have not been written by Indigenous people and racial/political/social biases of the times (including the present) should be kept in mind when using a reference written or compiled by someone outside the culture of a specific nation.
VPL - Central Branch - Books Available:
Level 2: Indigenous Collection is a good place to start
Earth Line and Morning Star
NLaka'pamux Clothing Traditions
Tepper, Leslie Heyman, 1947-Tepper, Leslie Heyman, 1947-
Book, 1994
Blackfoot Craftworker's Book
Hungrywolf, Adolf, 1944-Hungrywolf, Adolf, 1944-
Book, 1983
Zaagi'idiwin
Silent, Unquestionable Act of Love
Book, 2018
Native American Clothing
An Illustrated History
Brasser, Ted J.Brasser, Ted J.
Book, 2009
Traditional Dress*
Knowledge and Methods of Old-time Clothing
Hungrywolf, Adolf, 1944-Hungrywolf, Adolf, 1944-
Book, 2003
*includes historical photographs
North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment
From Prehistory to the Present
Dubin, Lois SherrDubin, Lois Sherr
Book, 2003
Encyclopedia of American Indian Costume
Paterek, Josephine
Book, 1996
Robes of Power*
Totem Poles on Cloth
Jensen, Doreen, 1933-2009
Book, 1986
*confirmed written by a Gitksan artist
VPL - Mount Pleasant Branch - Books Available:
Native American Moccasins
a Craft Manual
George M. WhiteGeorge M. White
Book, 2014
Capilano University Library
Salish Blankets: robes of protection and transformation, symbols of wealth
Leslie H. Tupper, Janice George (Chepximiya Siyam), and Willard Joseph (Skwetsimltexw)
Book 2017
Salish Weaving (well illustrated)
Paula Gustafson
Book 1980
The Raven’s Tail
Cheryl Samuel
Book 1987
Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians (historical and technical)
Hilary Stewart
Book 1984
Online Resources
Clothing/masks/weaving/cedar of the native Pacific Northwest-
https://www.donsmaps.com/pacificnwclothingmasks.html
https://www.donsmaps.com/bentwoodchests.html
The Canadian encyclopedia
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indigenous-regalia-in-canada
America, North: History of indigenous Peoples Dress-
America, North: History of Indigenous Peoples' Dress | Encyclopedia.com
Clothing of Native American Cultures-
Clothing of Native American Cultures | Encyclopedia.com
Inuit Clothing-
Inuit clothing | The Arctic (article) | Khan Academy
Traditional Dress of Canada-
Traditional dress of Canada. History and examples - Nationalclothing.org
What is a ribbon skirt?-
What is a Ribbon Skirt? — The Ribbon Skirt Project - from Indigenous Nouveau
Daily Life - Historical Resources
Sources with info regarding historical daily life from 1900 and before
Canadian Museum of History
1000 BC- 500 AD
Canadian Museum of History
Civilization.ca - A History of the Native People of Canada (historymuseum.ca)
10,000 BC- 500 AD
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Indigenous Regalia in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia
The Canadian Encyclopedia- Clothing during the colonial period
Clothing during the colonial period | The Canadian Encyclopedia
Open Library
Indigenous Clothing – Shingwauk Narratives: Sharing Residential School History (pressbooks.pub)Textes_Porter_identite_ENaaaaaaa (musee-mccord-stewart.ca)
It is common practice and highly encouraged to include an indigenous consultant on any production involving indigenous or indigenous-inspired costuming or content.
This research was created by Capilano University costuming students, supervised by faculty. Something missing? Let us know: dgingrich@capilanou.ca