Close up on moccasins in museum collections storage. A pair of black moccasins with colourful beaded detailing around the body.

Preserving Tradition: The Art and Significance of Moccasin Making

Preserving Tradition: The Art and Significance of Moccasin Making

Have you ever seen the beautiful moccasins in the Manitoba Museum galleries and wondered about their creation process? Who made them, who wore them, and where did they travel? Museums are filled with millions of objects and specimens, but it’s the stories behind these items that really matter. Discovering how these stories connect to present-day individuals and communities is truly the best part of my job.

While moccasins may seem ordinary, they preserve cultural heritage and have resisted colonial forces since first contact. As a young girl, I admired how my relatives paired their outfits with braids, beaded earrings, bolo ties, and stunning moccasins. There is an ongoing desire to preserve our cultural identity, even through everyday items like shoes and accessories.

One of our long-time friends and partners is Gloria Beckman, a Nēhîthâwâk artist skilled in many art forms, including moccasin making. Through her workshops, Gloria shares her expertise and passion, helping preserve these vital cultural traditions.

A pair of moccasins with light tan leather bodies, with beaded accenting and grey fur trimming.

Images: Beautiful pairs of fur-trimmed, beaded moccasins created by workshop leader Gloria Beckman. © Gloria Beckman.

Moccasins in museum collections storage. In the foreground, a pair of black moccasins with colourful beaded detailing around the body. In the background, a tan-coloured pair of moccasins with beaded cuffs at the ankles and a beaded panel on the top of the foot.

Gloria recently shared that moccasin making is a meditative, community building activity. She expressed that, “The excitement of seeing pahkîkinaskisina (leather footwear) is an intrinsically rewarding experience” that provides us with a sense of belonging.

We are honoured to partner with Gloria for various workshops throughout the year, offering guests the opportunity to create their own hand-made treasures, perhaps to pass down to future generations with love. Workshops also provide a unique experience to explore the techniques and artistry from our ancestors with a behind-the scenes look at artifacts in our collection.

If you are interested in hearing about future workshop opportunities be sure to sign up for our Manitoba Museum e-newsletter!

Tashina Houle-Schlup

Tashina Houle-Schlup

Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement

Tashina Houle-Schlup is a young Anishinaabe woman with roots in Ebb & Flow First Nation who grew up in the foothills of Riding Mountain National Park on a bison ranch and natural hide tannery. Tashina grew up learning to sew, tan hides, bead, and practice quillwork. She has many passions, including sharing her knowledge of Indigenous history and culture in her role as the Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement at the Manitoba Museum.

Connecting the Continent

Sometimes archaeologists find things in Manitoba that seem like they shouldn’t be here. We don’t have volcanos – how did obsidian get here? Through trade routes!

Learn more about the trade routes that have connected the continent for thousands of years in this video with Curator of Archaeology Dave Finch.

Pick up your own copy of this map at the Museum Shop!

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Is this a fossilized dinosaur egg?

You could be excused for thinking these often nearly perfectly round rocks were fossilized eggs, perhaps even dinosaur eggs? Find out what they really are in this video with Curator of Palaeontology & Geology, Dr. Joe Moysiuk.

Check out a concretion on display in the Earth History Gallery!

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DIY Specimen Case Repair with Aro

Sometimes the storage drawers and cupboards that contain the Museum Collection need a little TLC to ensure they’re keeping specimens and artifacts as safe as possible. Join Aro as she dons her toolbelt to repair a specimen drawer lid that’s come loose.

 

Check out the insect specimens on display in the Boreal Forest Gallery.

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Museum Week – World Oceans Day

This week is Museum Week and today’s theme, Water, coincides with World Oceans Day! Join Mika in the Science Gallery as she shares about our oceans’ important role in combatting climate change.

“Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.” – United Nations

Note: This video contains the popping of a balloon.

Museum Week – Behind the Scenes

Toad surveying, mummifying carrots, hosting conferences, researching artifacts and specimens, and more! It’s the first day of Museum Week and today’s theme is Behind the Scenes. Let’s see what some of the Museum team is up to!

DYK Pronghorns are related to… Giraffes?

Pronghorns are sometimes called Antelope because of their visual similarities, but recent research shows they’re actually more closely related to Giraffes! In this video, learn more about this unique animal with Dr. Randy Mooi in the Prairies Gallery.

Do you know how many artifacts are in this room?

Many Museum visitors will remember Madame Taro’s room in the Winnipeg 1920 Cityscape, but do you know how many artifacts are in this room?

In this video Cortney takes us inside to learn about some of the updates that have been made to the space, and the amazing artifacts it displays!

Travel back in time when you visit the Winnipeg 1920 Cityscape in the Winnipeg Gallery!

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Researching a Chinese Alcove Bed

This amazing Chinese alcove bed was donated to the Museum about five years ago, and we recently had a chance to set it up and get some beautiful documentation photos taken.

Find out about some of the research being done on the bed and take a closer look at the details in this video with Curator of History Dr. Roland Sawatzky!

Meet the Cowbird!

What is a “brood parasite”? Find out in this video with Learning & Engagement Producer Erin, as he tells us about a ‘piggybacking’ bird.

Learn more about fascinating Manitoba birds in the Prairies Gallery!

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