Self taught moccassin maker ships products all ove rthe continent

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Cindy Hamilton (nee Godin) has found a unique way to follow in her family’s footsteps!
Hamilton, who is the daughter of the late Emil and Iona Godin, grew up in Rainy River, Ont. She graduated from Rainy River High School in 1987. She married her high school sweetheart, Dave Hamilton of Baudette.
The pair moved all over the United States as he was in the Navy. Then when Dave retired in 2006 they moved back to the area, settling just 25 miles west of Rainy River in Roosevelt, MN.
Cindy had been doing some family history a couple of years prior while they were stationed in California. “One of my dad’s cousins, Jean Camarind, of Fort Frances, sent me a photo of my Great Grandmother.” In that photo her Great Grandmother, Marie Godin (nee Morrisseau) was wearing moccasins. “I saw them and said, I want to learn how to make those! I thought it would be a great way to get in touch with my Native roots.”
To her surprise she could not find anyone in the area or even very many books on the internet that could teach her to make moccasins. “I have always been kind of crafty so I figured I could teach myself,” and she did!
She began making them just for family. Over a couple of years people saw them and wanted her to make them. When they moved back to this area, Cindy was caring for her ailing mother. So she needed something to make some money at, that would be flexible to her care giving schedule. So she started taking orders for moccasins.
She began making little ones out of traditional hides. “I used deer for baby ones as it is softer. I used moose hide for adult ones because it is durable!”
However, as the general public became more and more interested in her hand made products, it became clear that for most folks the moose hide footwear is out of their price range. So she began making moccasins out of cow hide as well. The price difference for instance, is on a $55 pair of cowhide moccasins the same pair in moose hide is over $300!
In August of 2006 she began listing her products on ebay and hasn’t looked back since. Not only is she selling to individuals but also supplies trading posts all over the U.S. and Canada. Recently Vaughn and Melanie Murray were on an Alaskan cruise when they saw Cindy’s moccasins in Alaska. “We were surprised to see them there made by Cindy Hamilton of Roosevelt, MN,” said Melanie.
She has sold moccasins or mukluks to people in all Canadian provinces and territories and all but 12 U.S. states. “I am working on selling to all states and have even shipped to Hawaii!”
Cindy’s daughter Tina wore a pair to school in Baudette one day and they were spied by Casey and Jaime Armstrong (daughters of Jim Armstrong in Rainy River) who said they wanted a pair each. “That started local sales which have been strong ever since,” said Cindy.
She has several size patterns cut out of hides so she can make many different sizes from infant all the way up to adult. With the infant moccasins she can have a pair made in about three hours. “But when a trading post orders 30 pairs I tell them it will be 2-3 weeks as I do it all by hand!”
When she started making them she did some bead work on them. However, it is very time consuming and tedious. That translated into higher costs for her time and work that most people do not want to pay for. So she began doing embroidery using an embroidery machine she had already, “Because I liked doing crafts and had bought it for something else I was working on!”
With many of her clients being Natives from various parts of the continent, she gets many different requests for patterns on the footwear. “On the west coast fish are prominent. Here it is deer and eagles.”
She also discovered Pendleton Woolen Mills out of Portland, Oregon. “They have many unique woolen patterns that I use for uppers on mukluks.” The mukluks came later as she grew more confident making moccasins. When people want mukluks they need to measure their calves as well as send Cindy a foot measurement. Sometimes she has them trace their feet so she can ensure they fit properly.
The process for making moccasins begins with a pattern. She uses it to cut out the fleece lining and the hide. She stitches the lining into shape first then the hide before the liners are inserted into the hide. She then trims the top of the moccasin with rabbit fur or hide. Embroidery is done and added as well.
Sherpa fleece is used in mukluks as it holds a shape better. Using the Pendleton wools she can make many different Native patterns. “Many (pow wow) dancers make shawls out of Pendleton wools. So they ask me if I can make them moccasins or mukluks to match!”
The business has grown over the past several years. Husband Dave, who Cindy said has been very supportive, had to even add onto their home to house all her hides, woolens and cutting tables.
Cindy said that ebay has been a very good tool for selling her products. The most she has received on an internet auction was $265. “There were three people bidding just before Christmas. The first bidder had the option to “buy now” for $65 but didn’t choose that option. I was thrilled to get that much for them!”
She now watches auctions and if a similar situation happens she offers the second highest bidder a chance to get a pair of the same footwear at their last bid.
Cindy tries to support local charities as well, often donating pairs of her moccasins or mukluks to events like the Rainy River Hospital Aux. Christmas Bazaar and the annual Alzheimer’s Dinner in Rainy River.
In addition to deer, moose and cow hides she has made items out of buffalo and elk as well. Costs of her Native footwear vary from pair to pair. “It depends what kind of material they want them made out of and how much extra work they are to make.” On average she makes about 10 pairs per week.
People can get more information on her products by contacting her at chamilton@wiktel.com or watch for auctions on ebay by looking for seller davecindy1.