Moccasin-Making Workshop Reconnects Community to Culture and Traditions

Indigenous communities are working hard to piece together the threads of their cultures after centuries of efforts to erase their traditions.

To support this revitalization, the Diocese of Thunder Bay is partnering with two Elders to bring a moccasin-making project to the community, ensuring an authentic and intergenerational learning experience.

Moccasin making is more than just a craft, it’s a sacred practice that connects Indigenous people to their ancestors, history, and identity. This project will bring Indigenous community members together, creating a space to share and pass down sacred practices. By teaching these skills to youth and other participants, the workshop will help ensure that cultural traditions are preserved and carried forward to future generations.

Support from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will cover the expenses for the moccasin-making workshop , including funding for materials, venue costs, refreshments, and facilitation fees. Ten to twelve Indigenous participants, particularly youth, will have the chance to engage in this hands-on learning experience, gaining a deeper understanding of their heritage.

Beyond building technical skills, this workshop will play an important role in fostering a sense of belonging, self-worth, and pride—essential for mental and emotional well-being. Participants will have the opportunity to reconnect with their culture, share stories, and learn from one another in a therapeutic and empowering environment.

Diocese of Thunder Bay