The completed lodges were decorated with red ochre collected from a site near Rae. While the women were working on the hides, the men travelled by boat to collect the ochre. As in the old days, the ochre was mixed with water and applied to the hide with fingers. The red ochre band helped seal the seam to make it waterproof, while providing some colourful decoration to the finished lodge. Ochre is also associated with medicine power, and by painting a ring around the lodge, it protected the inhabitants from harm.

Once the lodges were completed the elders celebrated and reflected on their accomplishment. All were happy that the hard work was over, and that the completed lodges were so beautiful.