Arctic Fish-Skin Gear

For centuries, Indigenous Arctic communities—like the Yup’ik, Alutiiq, and Nivkh—have mastered survival in freezing, wet environments by crafting waterproof clothing and gear from fish skin and marine mammal intestines. These materials were meticulously processed—cleaned, dried, smoked, and sewn using waterproof techniques—to create mittens, boots, parkas, and even kayak jackets that shielded hunters and travelers from…