A selection of the many moccasins in the SRJC Multicultural Museum collections. Click on photos for more information. The word “mockasin” originally came from the Powhatan language spoken by several Great Plains tribes, but “moccasin” eventually became a word used to describe any kind of sewn fabric Native shoes. What makes the history of the moccasin so unique is that it is unclear which tribe originally made them, but the concept and design spread quickly throughout different tribes all across North America. They were almost always made from some sort of animal hide – deer, bison, moose, and elk were most common – but other than that, their designs can vary widely from tribe to tribe. Northern tribes in Canada and the Arctic lined their moccasin boots with thick fur to keep their feet warm from the freezing temperatures. Tribes from the rocky Southwest deserts made thin and hard-soled shoes with the toes slightly upturned to protect their feet from sharp rocks on the ground. Plains tribes like the Cheyenne and Sioux have become known for their beautifully and carefully decorated moccasins, which can have hundreds or even thousands handmade glass beads stitched onto them. The beads' colors and designs often symbolized status or family heritage. Many other tribes decorated their moccasins as well with shells, feathers, beads, fringe, or porcupine quills. Our museum’s collection of moccasins showcases the diverse range of unique characteristics found in different tribes’ moccasins. -Leyla C., Student Employee.