Treasures from Our West: Cheyenne moccasins

Originally featured in Points West magazine in Spring 2016

Cheyenne moccasins, St. Labre student project

Students from the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana, undertook a research and exhibition project with the Plains Indian Museum during their visit in October 2015.

As one object for study, they selected a pair of beaded Cheyenne moccasins featuring thunderbird and deer designs. Their assignment was to study the moccasins and determine significant elements such as materials, design, use, and date. The students noted dominant design characteristics found in Cheyenne moccasins, including a slanted cuff with a split back, a slim beaded strip up the heel, a beaded strip across the instep, and a design pattern using strong contrast of colors in its rendition of animal and geometric forms. Cheyenne designs on the circumference also typically occur in odd numbers, with one of the designs located on the toe point. The students determined that these moccasins were used for ceremonies or special occasions, or could have been made as a gift to honor the recipient.

After examining the objects, the students created a new exhibit case, “Young Minds at Work,” now featured in the entry of the Plains Indian Museum—a major accomplishment during a two-day visit as part of their Museum Studies and Culture class. They selected and researched objects, made basic mounts, contributed to labels, finalized the case layout, and installed the objects for an impactful display and intense learning experience. The exhibition case features the Cheyenne moccasins as well as other Crow, Ojibwe, Kiowa, and Sioux objects that represent the students’ interests and cultural histories.

Cheyenne moccasins, ca. 1890. Gift of Robert F. Garland. NA.202.5

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