Apparel

Bear Gatherer

Manitobah Mukluks


Bear Gatherer

Foot Lining: Sheepskin Shearling
Height: 12" Tall
Materials: Grain Leather
Sole: Tipi Vibram

The 'mukluk' is an Aboriginal word for 'winter boot'. Our ancestors created them thousands of years ago out of natural hides in order to survive in the coldest places in Canada. This Mid Gatherer mukluk is a very iconic plains-style mukluk and has been passed down to us from generation to generation. Now as a contemporary Métis company, we continue the tradition by combining modern techniques and materials to make functional mukluks for urban environments. The footbed is sheepskin-lined and the sole was made in partnership between Vibram and an Aboriginal artist. 

The Bear Gatherer pattern was designed by Aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt.  The bear was the clan symbol of Corrine's great-great grandmother, Anisalaga.  Descended from a line of powerful Chiefs, Anisalaga would spend nearly a year weaving a single blanket to be worn only by noble family members.  Anisalaga wove 13 of these "chilkat robes" but only three remain in the Hunt family.  Corrine has been working on a film to document the other robes.  One was recently repatriated by the Umista Cultural center in Alert Bay with funds from the Canadian Government's National Treasures Fund.

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