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Tuktoyaktuk elder Eva Raddi shows off one of her handmade "parkies" on a cool August day. This particular coat does not have the usual goose down lining. It is a summer jacket designed to keep out the cool wind that blows into Tuk off the Beaufort Sea. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

TUKTOYAKTUK - During his recent visit to Tuktoyaktuk, Prime Minister Stephen Harper joked that it was the coldest press conference he had ever held.

Perhaps if he had been wearing one of Eva Raddi's parkas, he might not have been shivering as he answered the media's questions.

Eva Raddi is one of Tuktoyaktuk's best known artisans. Her parkas, or "parkies" as they are known locally, are among the finest hand-sewn parkas in the world.

On the same day of the Prime Ministers visit, Eva was sporting a summer-style parka that does not contain any goose down.

"Down is too hot anyway," she said. Her summer parkie features a good durable fabric underneath a flower print.

Eva said she has been sewing parkas since the age of 12.

"My sister cut out the cloth for me and I made one. Since that time I have sewn," she said.

The secret to any good parka is the sunburst-style trim around the hood. This signature design is made with wolverine fur and wolf fur. It is called a sunburst because it is dark around the edges but gets lighter as you move outwards.

"This wolverine cost me $500," said Raddi as she ran her hands along the hood.

She said she bought it from local trapper Jim Elias.

Last October Raddi led a course on making the fur lining for hoods, known as anoraks. Several young women from Tuk turned out to learn the art.

But parkas are far from her only craft. Raddi sews all sorts of things. She said she was hoping to get some muskox legs this winter.

While most people want the warm fur from a muskox body, Raddi said she can make a fine pair of slippers or shoes from the leather around the legs. She said it is a nice soft leather, but also warm.