Declaring that certain boots are horrifyingly ugly and should never be seen as viable footwear for winter is not a new or unique sentiment. Nor is it a secret that my distain for those “shoes” is matched by the other half of the population that refuses to be caught dead in those things. And since shaming UGG owners publicly doesn’t seem to make those boots go away perhaps we need to try some new ammo. Here is the problem, no matter how much you make fun of a friend for showing up to date night in them she/he will still insist on using the same excuse for donning those monster-foot, cankle-creators; “They’re warm!” Really, the ONLY thing you can find to keep you feet warm during our Canadian winters are a pair of Australia-made, sheep skin slouchy socks? Think about what we are supporting. Why not spend the money on local companies that use Authentic, Canadian-made products and employs Canadian workers who truly understand real Canadian winters, all while looking good? Intrigued? You should be.

Throughout history, our First Canadian People wore mukluks and moccasins as they thrived in harmony with nature. As European settlers began to inhabit the country, they too adopted this traditional footwear as a necessary tool for survival. In 1990 Métis siblings, Sean and Heather McCormick, established a trading post in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Aboriginal artisans were able to trade handmade mukluks and moccasins for the McCormicks’ tanned leather skins and furs. 7 Years later the McCormicks registered as a Canadian corporation and begin manufacturing Aboriginal footwear across the country. Since then, they have created partnerships with both Vibram™, to develop a high-abrasion sole for the urban market, as well as with CAHRD (the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development), to provide an education bursary that allows Aboriginal students to attend college or university. Furthermore, Manitobah Mukluks launched a project to create business-building partnerships with elders and artists in Aboriginal communities from across the country. See, it is possible to find boots that will keep you warm while looking fabulous, plus it doesn’t hurt that your money supports your community and a culture that has been and still is, so integral to shaping our country.

All others aside, these boots are stunning; from my personal favorite – the Gatherer Mukluk with the most incredible wheat illustrations running across the toe and ankle to their limited edition Storyboot Project mukluks, I am in love.

-JK

- Annie McKay Storyboot Mukluk

- Mid Gatherer Mukluk

- Dancer Mukluk

- Canoe Moccasin

- Deerskin Slipper

 

- Harvest Grain Moccasin, images from manitobah.ca

Tags: Canadiana, First Nations, jennifer, Style

Tags: Canadiana, First Nations, jennifer, Style
Posted in Fashion | 2 Comments »