Moccasins

Item number 2958/2 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

A pair of moccasins, heavily beaded on top and sides in a simple geometric pattern cast in pink and blue on white. Lines of pink, dark blue and white encircle the shoe’s lower portion. The back is decorated with a hide fringe from the sole to the top. A long tongue, split at the end, extends out of the shoe body, which is tied closed with a short hide thong.

Narrative

The moccasins were collected by the donor's grandfather, who came to Canada from Britain, in 1936, to source spruce for the construction of Mosquito aircraft. His daughter remembers that he went to Haida Gwaii as part of this work, but did not know where else he traveled. Based on the design, the moccasins seem more likely to have originated in Alberta or Saskatchewan?

Iconographic Meaning

The split tab of the moccasin tongue is said to represent a cloven hoof. This style, along with the chevron beaded design with a three colour border and pink beads is typical of Assiniboine or Gros Ventre designs.