Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a month of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.  What better day to honor them than Thanksgiving, I thought?  Without the Wampanoag helping them along, the Pilgrims would’ve had a much harder time surviving.  No Thanksgiving then!  The contributions of native peoples reach much farther than that, of course, but I thought today I’d do traditional American Indian footwear!

These beauties are build-your-own women’s Eastern Woodlands soft sole moccasins.  (Eastern woodlands... that’s us!)  The kit comes in your choice of three leathers (Cowhide, Gold Buckskin, and Smoked German Tan Buckskin), a glover’s needle, simulated sinew for sewing, and an in-depth instruction guide.  Find them at Native American Vault for $38.

Aren’t these gorgeous?  Look at all that beading, all the way around the heel.  All that work doesn’t come cheap, though—these’ll run you $425!  Find them at Square Butte Trading Post.

How I love gray.  And I love these!  Fringe all the way around the ankle, subtle iridescent beading on the foot... and it’s available in a lovely gold color, too, with a slightly different pattern of beading.  Find then at Sa-Cinn for $129.

One last pair:

I have no price for these since they’re custom order (if you have to ask, you can’t afford it, right?), but OH. MY. GOD.  Just look!  This is all custom, hand-done work.  They will work with you to design the style and type of your choosing, using elements like tribal style, bead color, pattern, bead application, and finish work.  Go check out K Designs’ gallery—it’ll blow your mind.

So as we give thanks this week, remember to give a nod to the Native Americans.  Thank you, Native Americans, for helping make this country what it is, and for sharing your traditions and customs with us!  Happy Native American Heritage Month!