The Subarctic

Subarctic Natives made moccasins from the skins of the deer, caribou and moose that migrated across this vast northern region. These indigenous groups needed to be mobile at all times of the year in orderto hunt the migrating herds. Soft-soled moccasins became essential for kneeling in birchbark canoes, and for walking with rigid snowshoes.

For conservation reasons, and in order to show more variety over time, only a selection of footwear from the permanent collection is displayed in our exhibitions at any one time. This means there's always something new to see.

image of North American Indian footwear from the Subarctic region