The word moccasin means footwear. In various Indigenous languages the word for footwear was 'makisin' or 'makizinan'.

Moccasin is a type of shoe, boot, or slipper traditionally made from animal skin. They were made in different styles and lengths. Some had fur lining where as others had cloth sewn on the interior.

During the time of fur trade, the Europeans adopted this footwear as well as some other traditional indigenous clothing, such as buckskin pants and hats because they were more practical for the climate.

The Europeans were fascinated with the beadwork and the intricate designs used to decorate the moccasins.

Mi'kmaq people are known for their bead work. They created moccasins with leather and decorated them with beads. This image is from the Nova Scotia Archives' holdings, which consist of various Mi'kmaq hand-crrafted items. The image shows a child's moccasins decorated with bead work.