Liliia Zdor and her team* tell about snowshoes"

"The snowshoe frame consists of two runners that are joined together at the front and back. At the front and rear ends of the runners, there is a wooden crossbar that provides stability. The tip of the snowshoe is slightly raised, and the heel area is slightly lowered. This lowered, sharp-edged heel serves as a brake when ascending or descending on the snow cover. In the middle of the runners, there is a wave-shaped elevation. When the foot stands on the netting, it prevents the foot from immediately sinking into the snow. As the snowshoe lifts from the snow surface, the netting vibrates and shakes off any accumulated snow. The snowshoes are tied at the front and back with rope made from bearded seal straps. The strap is threaded through holes in each snowshoe, tied together, and tightly secured. The mesh between the frame parts is also woven from leather straps. It consists of three rows of double straps running lengthwise and six rows crosswise. At the front of the mesh, straps are woven in to support the foot. The frame of these snowshoes is made from willow branches, which are gathered by men. The raw materials are stored under the leather cover of the yaranga (tent dwelling) throughout the year. Then they are cut to the desired length. A special template is made from a board. After soaking the raw materials in water for four days, the arches are formed. Larger snowshoes are made for larger people, and smaller ones for smaller people. Those living in reindeer herder camps use longer snowshoes. The leather netting at the front and back is made from pure reindeer hide.

The residents near the sea make smaller snowshoes. These are used by hunters to reach the edge of the ice. Oleg’s grandfather Memlykvonau used two leather straps for the mesh of a snowshoe – one for the longitudinal lines and another for the cross lines. Netepkir used a single long leather strap for making a snowshoe."

* Liliia Zdor, Galina Etul', Irina Gyrgol'naut, Irina Nutetgivev and Mark Zdor.

Self-recorded. Fairbanks, 2024.