Final answer:
The Dene woman decorated her clothing as a form of self-expression and to maintain cultural traditions, which shows the importance of clothing as a representation of skills, status, and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The young Dene woman encountered by Samuel Hearne in 1772 likely ornamented her clothing due to the cultural and individual significance that such ornamentation held. Clothing and adornment can serve as a form of self-expression and identity, both personally and within a cultural context. For the Dene woman, these decorations could represent her skills, status, or adherence to cultural traditions, even when found living alone. It is a testament to the resilience of cultural practices and the human desire for self-expression through aesthetics.