Technology

Traditional tools and technology reflect the region's resources. Athabaskan tools were made of stone, antlers, wood, and bone. These tools were used to build houses, boats, snowshoes, clothing, and cooking utensils. Birch trees were an important resource and used for many purposes.

The Athabaskans made clothes from the different animal hides. They preferred caribou hide for clothing because of its warmth and pliability. They removed the hair from the hide for summer clothing. They left the hair on the hide for cold-weather clothing and turned it inward. Winter clothing for men and women included trousers with attached moccasins, a long coat with a belted waist, a separate hood or hat, and mittens. Athabaskans made warm, light underclothes from the skins of the snowshoe hare. Wide straps held babies to mothers' backs to free their hands.

Both men and women were adept at sewing, although women traditionally did most of the skin sewing.  The Athabaskans often decorated their clothing using skin fringes, furs, feathers, and porcupine quills. When they began to trade more extensively with other people, they decorated their clothes with dentalia shells or elaborate bead designs.

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