THE MAKING OF FUNERAL MOCCASINS
By Maajiitaaziibiikwe, Mary Sam
For Ishkodekwe ‘Carol’ Hernandez, making funeral moccasins was an unanticipated gift, filled with humility, responsibility, gratitude, and building lasting friendships with families. At 73 years old, she gives the “Creator thanks for being able to see and still work with her hands.” Born and raised in St. Paul with a grandmother who made moccasins and a mother who was a first language speaker and sewed, she did not learn a great deal about culture until she started working for the Band in the urban area. For Carol, life has brought many unexpected opportunities, which now provides her with a sense of place and purpose. Being approached by a young, passionate learner and passing on the knowledge is by far one of the biggest ways to give back and pay respect for her previous and current teachers. Her mentee, Madwejiwanookwe — Brooke Houle — granddaughter to the late Melvin Eagle, also did not grow up in the community, yet had a deep yearning to know herself better, gain cultural teachings, embrace her sewing skills, and find a way to give back. Through the teachings of her Auntie, she approached Carol with asemaa to ask for guidance and consideration to be a mentee, learning to make funeral moccasins as well as the teachings Carol received over the years.
Carol has crafted for many years: beading, sewing, painting, and then leather work. Later, she learned the cultural teachings, not a craft of making funeral moccasins. She is very clear “this is not a craft; it is a spiritual activity.” She spent many hours watching, listening, and learning from Amikoban, Obizaan Patty Sam, Trisha Moose, Nancy Foster, the late Margaret Hill, and Joyce Shingobe about making funeral moccasins.
Carol describes the process of doing this work as a gift and responsibility that came in time. She did not seek this out, it “just happened.” When asked to make funeral moccasins her first time, she consulted Amikoban, who was officiating the ceremony. Each person who officiates may have different or varied teachings, which she tries to honor, “some used beads on funeral moccasins like Obizaan, where Amikoban did not allow beads.” One commonality in Mille Lacs is that funeral moccasins need to be made of deer hide and not colored hides. “We are taught to put a tiny hole in the footbed of the baby moccasin.” She stated, “I always work from the heart, in a good way and sew with care, love, and respect. And I never cut corners.”
Carol offered her thoughts about how to ask others to pass on their knowledge, their teachings. The passing of asemaa is a must. Making funeral moccasins is spiritual work, not a business; it is about giving back and helping the loved one on their journey and also helping the family. If you are asking to learn, in return you are making a commitment to do this spiritual work.
Some guidance she is passing along is a reminder that this is a commitment and the timing isn’t always convenient, noting “one can’t plan ahead for funerals.” Juggling making moccasins, children, family, and a job can be a challenge. Planning ahead and having the supplies you need helps. Carol reminds her mentee that you need to be reliable at a time of need. This responsibility comes with a commitment to walking a good path yourself, as people will be watching you to see if you are really walking in a good way. This is a personal commitment to yourself and our community.
Another reminder is “to make sure family members offer asemaa when making the request for you to make funeral moccasins, or any funeral items for that matter. Sometimes we become the teacher to families that do not know customs.” Carol also shared that we must always work in a good way, passing along our teachings, as its not ours to keep. “Be open, listen, be patient with yourself. Once you let people know you make moccasins, you will be called upon, which will help you on the path with moccasin making. Remember always you’re a student first, always learning, regardless of our age. Be confident while remaining humble and always do the best you can.”
Carol has known her mentee Brooke through the Sam family sugarbush camp, which she has been a part of for many years. Carol is proud of her, honored that she wants to take on spiritual work and will take this obligation seriously to be counted on in the time of need. She will need to learn who others are that make funeral items such as blankets, baskets, spoons, traveling bags, and markers. Carol reminds Brooke that one doesn’t learn everything in one sitting. Being patient is part of the process and she will be available to her as she needs help, “for the rest of my life”. Carol shared that this is emotional work. “You are connecting not only with the family but the person who passed. Depending on the age of the person, if it’s a family member, a child, how they passed, this is very emotional.” Remembering to thank Creator for giving us the skills to do the work when offered asemaa and extend heart felt prayers for the person as they travel is part of the process.
As Brooke notes, this is a way to pass it on. “I did not grow up learning any practices or teachings related to my Ojibwe culture, but the creative and entertaining aspect to learning the skills of moccasin making, blanket making, beading, language, among other things, help me create connections to myself, my family and community, and this means I will be able to teach my children the same practices and values as they grow.” Brooke is committed to learn the teachings of making funeral moccasins to ensure these traditions continue to be passed down for the next seven generations. She believes it’s a privilege to be able to use this skill in creating loved ones’ moccasins for their journey home, and she wants to make sure that this tradition stays alive. She realizes the commitment she has made, has already made one set of funeral moccasins for a relative in the community and plans to keep herself “accountable to be that reliable piece of the funeral process for our loved ones.
The late Elder Betty Kegg provided a great deal of advice to her children and grandchildren about always being and staying humble, especially when we are being called upon to help. Learning and providing funeral moccasins, connecting with families who are grieving, giving back, and helping in a small way, reminds us that this work is humbling. It’s a gift.
