Post by Okwes on Dec 22, 2005 22:21:28 GMT -5
PROJECT MOCCASINS~
Moccasins tie tradition to new war
By: Judy-Gibbs Robinson
The Oklahoman
A new American Indian veterans group is trying to send handmade moccasins to every Indian soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan, one pair at a time.
The National Native American Veterans Association, incorporated in October 2004, provides the deerskin moccasins, which cost $21 a pair. Volunteer craftsmen sew and decorate the moccasins, then send them to Oklahoma City, where the association founding member , Thomas Berry wraps them in a red felt - signifying purity- and sends them on to a waiting soldier.
Many tribes, especially in the Plains and Southwest, believe new moccasins help bring a warrior home after battle or guide his spirit into the next life if he doesn't survive, Berry said.
"Traditionally, when Native Americans went into battle, they would only wear new moccasins," he said.
Following that tradition, association member Stephanie McCallister of Missouri sent new moccasins to a young friend in Iraq. Berry said when other Indian soldiers saw them and wanted their own, McCallister proposed the association take on the moccasin project.
"So what started as one pair, became five pair. Then five pair became 50. Now 50 has become, well, we're working on a backlog of 520 pair, " Berry said.
The association has shipped about 80 pair, he said.
Other native groups are helping, including "Support Our Native Troops Overseas" based in Lawrence, Kansas. Sherry Girty, that groups founder, used her e-mail lists and Web site to collect 312 names, addresses and shoe sizes for Native Troops overseas.
"I thik it's a very good deal," Girty said in a telephone interview. "When they're over there and they have that pair of moccasins with them, that brings their heritage to them."
Six Indian leather workers have made all the moccasins so far, but Berry said artisans who hear about the project are offering to help, including an Oklahoma Choctaw man.
"To make a pair, you're looking at a good 10 to 14 hours." Berry said "It's a good donation of time on their part."
All the moccasins are hand-cut from the same pattern, which is ankle-high and fringed around the opening. After they are hand sewn, a feather is stamped on the vamp and then hand-painted.
Each craftsman places a pinch of earth between the double soles before stitching them together.
"That's so they'll have their home soil." Berry said.
The moccasin project is the association's first major effort. The group incorporated with about 150 members and two lodges - both in Minnesota. Oklahoma's eight members belong to the national association until their numbers reach 30, when they can start a lodge.
Berry helped organize the association last year out of concern that most Indian veterans don't know they are entitled to a special Veterans Affairs benefit.
"Native Americans provide more members to the U.S. military on a per capita basis than any other population and we utilize VA benefits the least." Berry said. "So I started to try and find out why."
How to Help:
The National Native American Veterans Association is raising money to offset $21 material cost for each pair of moccasins made & sent to native soldiers overseas.
Send a Check or Money Order to:
The Project Moccasins Fund
c/o The National Native American Veterans Association
P.O. Box 891973 OKC OK 73189
For more information or to help with the moccasin making:
Thomas Berry @ hashukmalli@sbcglobal.net
Moccasins tie tradition to new war
By: Judy-Gibbs Robinson
The Oklahoman
A new American Indian veterans group is trying to send handmade moccasins to every Indian soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan, one pair at a time.
The National Native American Veterans Association, incorporated in October 2004, provides the deerskin moccasins, which cost $21 a pair. Volunteer craftsmen sew and decorate the moccasins, then send them to Oklahoma City, where the association founding member , Thomas Berry wraps them in a red felt - signifying purity- and sends them on to a waiting soldier.
Many tribes, especially in the Plains and Southwest, believe new moccasins help bring a warrior home after battle or guide his spirit into the next life if he doesn't survive, Berry said.
"Traditionally, when Native Americans went into battle, they would only wear new moccasins," he said.
Following that tradition, association member Stephanie McCallister of Missouri sent new moccasins to a young friend in Iraq. Berry said when other Indian soldiers saw them and wanted their own, McCallister proposed the association take on the moccasin project.
"So what started as one pair, became five pair. Then five pair became 50. Now 50 has become, well, we're working on a backlog of 520 pair, " Berry said.
The association has shipped about 80 pair, he said.
Other native groups are helping, including "Support Our Native Troops Overseas" based in Lawrence, Kansas. Sherry Girty, that groups founder, used her e-mail lists and Web site to collect 312 names, addresses and shoe sizes for Native Troops overseas.
"I thik it's a very good deal," Girty said in a telephone interview. "When they're over there and they have that pair of moccasins with them, that brings their heritage to them."
Six Indian leather workers have made all the moccasins so far, but Berry said artisans who hear about the project are offering to help, including an Oklahoma Choctaw man.
"To make a pair, you're looking at a good 10 to 14 hours." Berry said "It's a good donation of time on their part."
All the moccasins are hand-cut from the same pattern, which is ankle-high and fringed around the opening. After they are hand sewn, a feather is stamped on the vamp and then hand-painted.
Each craftsman places a pinch of earth between the double soles before stitching them together.
"That's so they'll have their home soil." Berry said.
The moccasin project is the association's first major effort. The group incorporated with about 150 members and two lodges - both in Minnesota. Oklahoma's eight members belong to the national association until their numbers reach 30, when they can start a lodge.
Berry helped organize the association last year out of concern that most Indian veterans don't know they are entitled to a special Veterans Affairs benefit.
"Native Americans provide more members to the U.S. military on a per capita basis than any other population and we utilize VA benefits the least." Berry said. "So I started to try and find out why."
How to Help:
The National Native American Veterans Association is raising money to offset $21 material cost for each pair of moccasins made & sent to native soldiers overseas.
Send a Check or Money Order to:
The Project Moccasins Fund
c/o The National Native American Veterans Association
P.O. Box 891973 OKC OK 73189
For more information or to help with the moccasin making:
Thomas Berry @ hashukmalli@sbcglobal.net
