Nikki Clarke, left, led the classes which end this month. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Community schools

Traditional moccasin-making skills passed on at GDCS

Mar 27, 2019 | 11:54 AM

Participants who took a moccasin-making class at Gordon Denny Community School are nearly finished their final works.

The evening classes began last month and are led by Air Ronge volunteer Nikki Clarke, who was asked by the school to do the programming. It’s her first time teaching such a class, which was typically two, three-hour sessions per week since Feb. 12. The program proved to be very popular as all 10 spots filled two weeks before it began.

“They’re all beginners and there’s not too much experience in sewing, so I’ve been doing a lot of teaching and guiding,” Clarke said. “The ladies who have come out have been so much fun and it’s been a great experience.”

Tuesday marked the ninth out of 10 classes for moccasin-making and many of the participants are currently adding final details before the last session this Thursday. Clarke said commercial leather was used to create the moccasins, which needed to be cut into several pieces and then sewed together. Participants also learned simple beadwork, Clarke said, as well as different ways to sew.

Health alerts

Sask NDP sound alarm over TB cases in northern Saskatchewan

22h ago

PYSANKY EASTER EGGS

"It's special to pass this on": Saskatchewan family celebrates Ukrainian Easter heritage

22h ago

Death Cafe

Death with a side of cake: Discussion group aims to open conversation about dying

22h ago

There were several reasons why Clarke accepted the opportunity to lead the moccasin-making class. She said she wanted to pass on some of her skills to those wanted to learn, noting it was the teachings of others her showed her how to make moccasins. Clarke also said the school recently lost Elder Ida Tremblay and she believes others now need to pass traditional knowledge on.

About eight participants attended each class on average. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“She was a big part of this, and she taught me quite a bit, so in her honour, I think it’s fitting and fair to step up and do my part now to teach,” she said. “I think other community members can come up and start sharing what we learned, especially from those elders.”

Air Ronge resident Gibra Hackathorn took part in the classes as she’s making a pair of moccasins for her seven-year-old daughter. Hackathorn decided to join the program to learn new skills and meet people. She said learning how to make moccasins is a good skill to have because they can be worn by the maker or given away as a handmade gift.

Hackathorn noted the most difficult part of making the moccasins was securing the fur along the top. Since the fur is plush, she said it’s been hard to weave a needle through. But, with the assistance of Clarke, Hackathorn noted making the moccasins have been quite easy.

“She’s been super helpful,” Hackathorn said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot from her. She made it really easy to understand.”

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno