Should I waterproof my moccasins/boots?

I would suggest that you apply a good water repellent spray on suede or a leather cream on moosehide and deerskin to keep your footwear in "like new condition". If your moccasins get wet, let them "air-dry" naturally. Do not use heat sources such as stoves, campfires, hairdryers, etc. These procedures leave your moccasins dry and crisp, and unable to be restitched or resoled.

Quote of the Day

If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it.-- Chinese Proverb

This Day in History- Feb. 09/07

Events on this day in history:

--> 1877, U.S. Weather Service is founded.
--> 1885, First Japanese arrive in Hawaii.
--> 1895, Volleyball is invented by W.G. Morgan in Massachusetts.
--> 1891, First shipment of asparagus arrives from Sacramento.
--> 1964, G.I. Joe doll is introduced.
--> 1969, The Boeing 747 takes its first commercial flight.

This Day in History - Feb 08/07

Events on this day in history:

--> 1693, Charter granted for College of William and Mary, 2nd college in
US.
--> 1883, Louis Waterman begins experiments that invent the fountain pen.
--> 1908, Boy Scouts of America founded.
--> 1915, "Birth of a Nation" opens at Clune's Auditorium in Los Angeles.
--> 1922, Radio arrives in the White House.
--> 1957, Public Library's bookmobile initiated in front of City Hall.
--> 1977, Earthquake, at 5.0, strongest since 1966.

History of Moccasins - Part 3

One style of the moccasins that has become quite fashionable recently is the mukluk. Mukluks or Kamiks were worn by the Inuit for warmth and durability. Traditionally, they were made from seal or reindeer skin with the fur worn outside and lined with soft fur such as rabbit. As with most clothing, they were made by the Inuit women . Native Americans living in the sub arctic regions adapted the boot using skins avaiable to them, usually caribou, moose, or deer. The word "mukluk" is from a specific Northern region where the Yupik Inuit live. In their language it means bearded seal. Another Inuit word for the boot is "kamik". Either word is acceptable in describing the boot.

Quote of the Day
"Horse sense is what keeps horses from betting on what people will do."

History of Moccasins - Part 2

Moccasins usually followed a pattern that outlines the foot. However, each tribe added their own flair to such an extent that an individual could be idenitied by his/her moccasins. In fact, some tribes were named by their moccasins, for example, the Blackfeet tribe. Not only could a tribe could be identified by the pattern but also by the design that decorated the footwear. Materials used included quills, beads, or paint. Today these moccasins are sought by collectors and museums from around the world. To view examples of regional moccasin styles please go to http://www.nativetech.org/clothing/moccasin/mocmap.html.

Quote of the Day

"The best thing you can give someone is a chance. "

History of Moccasins - Part 1

This is the first post of Moccasin Musings. Hopefully, the content will be of interest to you as time goes by.

Judging by the research , men's moccasins, women's moccasins or moccasin boots (mukluks) appear to be universal as footwear for early Native Americans. The word "moccasin" actually comes from the Algonquian language, although most tribes had their own word for their "moccasins." The word moccasin stuck since Algonquians were probably the first Native Americans Europeans met in Canada or USA. All moccasins were made from cured leather from such animals as deer, bison, elk, or moose and stitched together using a bone awl and sinew.

Quote of the day
“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”