Moccasin sewing

Kelvin students have had the great privilege of learning how to do bead work and sew moccasins with Carole Fréchette. Over the last many weeks these students have spent hours and hours beading beautiful patterns. Some have found it soothing, some difficult, but all have come to appreciate the time and hard work involved in these projects. Then, after all that beading work, came the afternoon when they got to put it all together and create a pair of moccasins.

Carole Fréchette is French-speaking Métis, originally from St. Malo, Manitoba.  When she was twelve years old, her mother began teaching her how to make mukluks, moccasins, mitts and medicine pouches. Carole has taught workshops throughout Winnipeg through the City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide, Indigenous organizations and in the Winnipeg School Division since 1998.

We have really benefited from the gift that Carole has shared with us during these workshop hours. She was attentive to the students, helping each of them individually. And as she taught the sewing, she also gave teachings of respect, beauty, difficulty, loss, and especially perseverance from the perspective of her people and especially her mother. We are grateful for this opportunity.

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