Historical Moccasins

Pîhtokahanapiwiyin (nehiyaw Chief Poundmaker's) moccasins. 1880s. These are now in the Canadian Museum of History. His moccasins are made of glass beads, painted rawhide from parfleche container, smoked brain-tanned buffalo hide.

These are left without a collar or wrap, and instead just a hide as the finish at the ankle.

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Moccasins found in Utah Promontory Cave. 1200s. These are believe to be from a group of Dene people traveling.

This are similar to mukluks, and have a high top finish, with fur as the inside lining.

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Niitsitsikin, 1993.

Glass beads, smoked brain-tanned moosehide, wool.
Made by Harrison Stabs Down-Red Crow, Stand Off, Alberta. Harrison began making moccasins because of his involvement in the Blood Horn Society.

This pair is finished with decorated wool, similar to a bias finish.

Moccasins finished in quillwork. 1900. Possibly Cheyenne. Tanned and smoked deer hide, rawhide, porcupine quill, cotton, metal and sinew. From the McCord Museum collections.

These have a textile, cotton bias finish at the ankle.

Chief Little Big Bear's Moccasins. 1895. Moccasins, banded pink quill design, blue/red beaded trim, red cotton at ankle, made of Bison Hide. These are in the Peabody Museum in Cambridge.

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Chief Crowfoot of the Siksika's (Blackfoot). Late 1700s. Metallic and glass beads, rawhide sole, smoked brain - tanned hide, wool, sinew.

These have hide wraps as the finish.

1875-1920. Moccasin, Northern Cree. Tanned and smoked hide, unsmoked hide, glass bead, sinew, cotton thread.

This pair has a hide collar as the finished ankle.

Naaskapi moccasins from Matimekosh Reserve. Made by Noami Einish. 1977. Tanned hide, duffle, cotton, beaver fur, wool.

These moccasins are finished with fur trim.