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 On the Cherokee Nation, there's a waiting list for Friday's
moccasin-making class. And on a military base in Afghanistan, a
soldier ties a beaded cross around her boot to symbolize her
moccasins.
Friday was "Rock Your Mocs" Day.
Coinciding with Native American Heritage Month in the U.S., the
social media campaign started by New Mexico student Jessica "Jaylyn"
Atsye has gone global.
The 21-year-old Laguna Pueblo member says the idea was simple — to
set aside one day each year to wear moccasins to celebrate the
cultures of Native Americans and other indigenous people.
"When someone asks you, 'What do your shoes represent?' or 'What's
the story behind your moccasins?' there can be endless
descriptions," she said. "They show who you are. They're an
identifier. They can bring unity."
Moccasins historically were the footwear of many Native American
tribes. Though their basic construction was similar throughout the
country, the decorative elements including beadwork, quillwork,
painted designs, fur and fringes used on moccasins varied from one
tribe to another. Indian people often could tell each other's tribal
affiliation simply from the design of their shoes, according to the
nonprofit group Native Languages of the Americas.
Observers say the Rock Your Mocs campaign is helping to fuel a
resurgence of Native pride.
By Friday morning, a flurry of photographs had been posted on a
Facebook page Atsye set up for the movement. On Twitter and
Instagram, Rock Your Mocs hashtags showcased hundreds of images,
from simple deerskin wraps to knee-high versions adorned with
colorful beadwork.
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Then there were the mukluks lined with fur, like the ones being worn
Friday by Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North
Dakota who runs the Beyond Buckskin blog.
"Moccasins can be worn and appreciated by anybody. That's what's
really cool about it," she said. "It's like you're wearing these
pieces of art. They're all unique."
Metcalfe and others said "Rock Your Mocs" is a chance to educate
more people about indigenous cultures. In recent months, the
headlines have focused on controversies over the Washington Redskins
team name and backlashes against Native American-inspired fashion
designs that many in Indian Country have found in poor taste.
Atsye said she wants to get away from the "whole racial thing."
"The only way we're going to be able to succeed is to move forward
and forget all of that," she said, outlining a string of trying
times in Native American history. "We can't change that. That
happened in the past. Let's focus on the things that we can change
today."
[Associated
Press; SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN]
Follow Susan Montoya
Bryan on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/susanmbryanNM.
Copyright 2013 The Associated
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