On the frontier in colonial days, bear grease was one of the very few sources of fat, certainly to the pre-invasion native population. With most North American game being so lean, it is said to have in fact been a vital dietary supplement to avoid 'rabbit fever'. So I wouldn't be surprised if it formed the basis of everything requiring something fatty or waxy.

But not Scottish face paint. There was no Scottish face paint, was there? Wode yes, on pre-Celts; wode or paint no, never on Celts. Not before Mel Gibson.