Moccasin

This is a pair of moccasins from eastern Canada. Moccasins are traditional items of clothing for Native Americans, which were worn throughout the year. They are made from buckskin (deer hide) which has been dyed black using walnut husks. This was a trend among a number of tribes in the north-east, especially with the Huron, these shoes originated from. Porcupine quills were often used in moccasin decoration throughout North America.
The design of moccasins has been manufactured extensively since their foundation. They can even be found within our own Exeter Christmas Market. The moccasins sold in Christmas markets are often produced in Germany, where Native American re-enactment is currently popular. As they are a soft-soled shoe they are also now used and sold as driving shoes, however this adoption often means having no decoration, especially in the USA. This decoration is a crucial element of Native American design, with the different patterns representing various aspects of indigenous life and spiritual beliefs. Patterns show the meaning behind and history of the item and, in extension, the creators. It can demonstrate the movement of a group or the links found between tribes which could otherwise be unknown. For example, the ribbon on these shoes reveal the links this group had with Europeans, as ribbon was often traded by Europeans for fur. This lack of decoration also indicates a westernisation of indigenous objects, a problem often faced by Native Americans today.