Each tribe had their unique design for making their mocassins.
If you have ever attended an American Indian pow-wow, you have experienced the excitement of the seeing the different tribes in their elaborate costumes. One element common to all tribes is their moccasins. The styles and decorations are unique to each tribe and often identifies a person's origins. Introducing kids to crafts related to moccasins,\ is an enjoyable way for them to learn about the people who are a part of our country's earliest history.
Drawing
For a project geared towards young kids, trace the outline of the moccasins on a piece of paper. Supply the kids with printed copies of the tracing and markers or crayons. Talk to the kids about the designs and symbols used by the different tribes and then have them design their own moccasins. The drawings can be cut out and made into a collage. The kids can include drawings of Indian life, feathers and arrowheads glued onto a larger piece of paper.
Beading, Quilling or Painting
Kits can be purchased that allow the kids to lace and assemble their own plain leather moccasins. Encourage the kids to research how the different tribes embellished the leather. Many tribes decorated their leather moccasins with elaborate designs. Some used beads while others decorated them with paint or porcupine quills, which are available commercially. Let the kids choose which materials they would like to use and which tribe's design they choose to use as a pattern.
Paper Moccasins
This project will require a little labor by an adult. Make a pattern for a pair of paper moccasins. Supply each of the kids with a pattern and have them cut the pieces out. You can use a paper punch to make holes for brown ribbon used as lacing to assemble them. Have the kids paint the moccasins with a Native American design of their choice. The finished moccasins can be glued to a board for display.
Shadow Box
Older kids can make a beautiful shadow box crafted with moccasins. Line the box with a piece of chamois cloth. Scan a map showing the area where your style of moccasins are crafted. Print it using the sepia setting on your printer. To age your map, char the edges with a lighter. Attach it to your chamois with tacky craft glue. You can add a pheasant, turkey or grouse feathers and an image of a tee-pee or dwelling representing the tribe associated with your moccasins. Mount your moccasins to your box with push pins inserted inside near the toes where the pins will be hidden.
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