Lessons from Moccasins

After he finished first set of moccasins, he was yearning for more, so Ms. Pelletier took him under her wing and took him to her reserve where he learned to make mukluks, mittens and even a furry hat.

 

Around the time of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last September, Mr. Ryan felt compelled to offer similar workshops at Shawnigan. The timing wasn’t right, but Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator Mr. Clay Panga was on board with offering it later in the school year.

 

It began with a selection process: Grade 12s were surveyed, and from the 18 who expressed interest in the workshop, it was narrowed down to a manageable seven. Sessions started in early January, with workshop time on Wednesday evenings. The hope was to get the project finished before Ski Week so the students could wear their moccasins at Manning Park. Three students did finish before Ski Week, and another completed his at the mountain. The other three got theirs done shortly after.

 

As it worked out, Ms. Pelletier happened to be visiting Victoria in late February for an exhibition of her art – she has pivoted from leatherwork to mostly working with birchbark, making everything from clothing and baskets to jewelry and hats – so the Mr. Ryan had a chance to take the students there to meet her.

 

“It was great to visit her and show what I’ve been able to do with the work that she passed on to me – it’s a way of wrapping it all up,” Mr. Ryan said.

 

Meeting Ms. Pelletier was a highlight of the project for Oscar N.

 

“Mr. Ryan's moccasin-building workshop was an amazing insight into First Nations art and craftsmanship,” he said. “I for one was very quickly hooked and looked forward to my time every Wednesday. It was especially cool to meet Helen, Mr. Ryan's teacher and enjoy her presence and art in Victoria.”

 

The materials for the moccasins were sourced locally, the deerhide and rabbit fur provided by Cowichan Tribes member Mr. Jerome Seymour (Sum’elh), while the thread is a synthetic version of sinew that is easier to come by and work with than natural sinew. The expected life is over 25 years for the moccasins themselves, and 10 to 15 years for the fur cuff. Because the material is mostly natural, Mr. Ryan said it should be returned to the earth after it wears out.

 

Siqultunaat (Ms. Virginia Robertson), an intern at the School who is teaching the Hul’qumi’num language to Grade 8 students, was pleased to see Mr. Ryan take something he learned from a First Nations teacher and sharing it with students.

 

“A lot of things are lost if they don’t get passed down,” she said. “It’s a beautiful experience for the students.”

 

Coast Salish and other West Coast First Nations didn’t historically make moccasins, Siqultunaat noted, but have since adopted the craft. She was taught leatherwork by her own mother, who has made moccasins for more than 50 years.

 

If the of the workshop was to teach students new skills and an appreciation for the craft, as well as to provide them with something they can actually use, Desi S.’s experience matched that aim perfectly.

 

“The Anishinaabe moccasin workshop has been one of my favorite experiences that I've participated in at Shawnigan,” she commented. “When the workshop was first announced, I was super excited to learn a new craft and the Indigenous history behind it. Now that the workshop has ended, not only do I have a pair of moccasins I am so proud of and wear every day, but I also have the skills to create more and memories that will last a lifetime. I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn this craft and the history it carries and to have been a part of the wonderful group of staff and students who participated in the workshop.”