î wîci pimohtîhoya, We Walk Beside You: Métis Pucker Toe Moccasin Exhibition features 15 pairs of moccasins created by Métis artists from across British Columbia. All artists in this exhibition participated in a Métis pucker toe moccasins workshop series taught by artist Lynette La Fontaine and hosted by Métis Nation of British Columbia's (MNBC) Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Language.
In a series of virtual workshops across four months, participants learned how to create and sew pucker toe moccasins by hand. Many of these moccasins were then showcased at the Amelia Douglas Institute.
Artists featured (in alphabetical order): Amanda Anderson, Annelie Lauren Wells, Brenda Vaughan, Catherine Ruddell, Jaclyn Miller, Julie Ana Maciel, Lisa Klassen, Lynette La Fontaine, Lynne Barisoff, Mal Blondeau, Melanie Teunissen, Nyah LaMarre, Rachel McCloy Andrews, Sandra Slobodian, Sydney Landrie.
î wîci pimohtîhoya, We Walk Beside You. Northern Michif translation by: White Standing Buffalo / Elder Tom McCallum of Île-à-la-Crosse, SK.
Moccasins are the most popular style of footwear worn by Métis people across all generations and genders. Moccasins have been worn by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial.
Pucker toe moccasins, frequently made and worn today, feature a large u-shaped vamp. The vamps can be made with buckskin, wool stroud, or velvet. This style of moccasins is worn by both Métis and First Nations.
These moccasins can be made with a folded cuff, fur trim, or high-top wrap-around style. This style of moccasin is also called Beaver Tail or Gathered Toe.