Beaded Moccasins

The word moccasin comes from the Algonquian Language, where the Potawatomi Language evolved. This style moccasin is one of the oldest styles and originates probably before European contact. This style is not only from the Potawatomi but is shared with most northern woodland tribes. It is made with one piece of buckskin with a seam up the front with two wide cuffs.

All Potawatomi moccasins were soft-soled and made of smoke-tanned buckskin. These moccasins were likely worn for special ceremonial occasions while a plain buckskin moccasin would have been worn on a more day-to-day basis. The floral beadwork designs on these moccasins were likely inspired by French textiles and changed by the Potawatomi women that beaded them to suit their own native style.

In most Potawatomi tribes the beadwork or quillwork was done by the women of the tribe. They were likely made for a woman because of the size and purple color. The moccasins measure at 24.5 cm long, and is 11 cm wide. The beaded flap is 8.5 cm wide. The purple color represents healing. In Potawatomi tribes the healing ceremonies were mostly done by the women. These particular moccasins were collected in 1910, but they are likely much older than that.

Sources: Indians of North America: The Potawatomi by James A. Clifton; Forest Potawatomi Men's Apparel pamphlet from website