Moccasins

MOA: University of British Columbia

3617/1 a-b

Pair of white deer skin moccasins with beadwork on vamp and sides; openings lined with white fur. Soles, sides, and toes are made up of a large piece of skin, stitched together at toe and heel; vamp is separate. Vamp has a central design of pink and red flowers with yellow centres, and dark and light green leaves. Edges of vamp are bordered with red, maroon, and light green bands. Beadwork on sides of moccasins have a central pink flower with yellow centre, framed with dark purple and yellow buds; buds and flowers are connected with light green and white vines and leaves. Moccasins are lined with plain cloth.

  • Narrative

    The donor inherited the moccasins from his mother's estate, who had inherited them from her mother's estate. They were originally gifted to Henry David Martin, between 1939-1959, while he was the Anglican bishop for northern Saskatchewan, during a trip to the Northwest Territories.


  • Type of Item moccasin
  • Culture Dene
  • Material deer skin, glass, fibre, rabbit skin
  • Measurements height 2.5 cm, width 15.4 cm, depth 23.4 cm (part b) height 2.5 cm, width 11.3 cm, depth 23.9 cm (part a)

  • Previous Owner Henry David Martin, David Williams
  • Received from David Williams

  • Made in Northwest Territories

  • Creation Date between 1939 and 1959
  • Ownership Date before 1971, before February 17, 2023
  • Acquisition Date on February 17, 2023

  • Item Classes beadwork
  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 3617/0001 a-b