The Ojibwe word makizin refers to footwear made of deerskin or other soft leather. While the exact meaning of the name Ojibwe is not known, several possible explanations have been proposed. One is that it is derived from the word ozhibii’iweg, meaning “[Those who] keep records of a vision.” Another explanation is that it means “[Those who] cook until it puckers,” referring either to the fire-curing of moccasins until they are puckered or to the puckered seam on the front of moccasins such as those shown here.

     In this pair, the sole and sides are made of a single piece of leather with an additional upper panel. Soft-soled moccasins allowed wearers to feel the ground under their feet as they walked, while hard-soled moccasins offered protection against rocks and spiny plants. Deerskin or moose hide is used in the creation of a moccasin depending on the required thickness of the sole. This pair reveals the introduction of non-native incorporation of black velvet for the upper panels and cuffs, a style that is later in date than moccasins made solely from leather. Silk trim outlines the curved front piece of the moccasin.