Rock Your Mocs!!

Belonging(s): “A close relationship among a group and personal or public effects

“Asco wequassinummis, neetompooag” (Hello my friends)!

Welcome to the Belongings Blog! During Native American Heritage Month, each November 15 is designated as Rock Your Mocs, established in 2011 as a worldwide event that is aimed to celebrate Indigenous culture, honor ones ancestors and to promote unity amongst peoples by demonstrating solidarity with Indigenous causes. To participate in this event, take photographs or video of you wearing your moccasins (or with your friends) and upload to social media using the official hashtag #RockYourMocs!

In the Narragansett language the word for shoe is moccussinass, which has been “simplified” and is now commonly known as moccasins. The Narragansett and other Eastern Woodland tribes of Southern New England make a unique style of moccasin, which is referred to as ‘pucker toe’ or ‘center seam’ style. This pucker toe style of moccasin is made by bringing the sole of the shoe around the foot and ‘puckering’ the leather around the top, creating the distinctive appearance at the toe area. Pucker toe moccasins have a softer sole and are made for walking through pine needles or leaves comfortably. There are many different variations of moccasins throughout the Americas and are often designed based on the environment in which the people who make them live.

There are variations of this style, including a ‘vamp’ or oval shaped patch which is attached at the gathered top. Another variation includes decorating the flap around the ankle, which can be removed and transferred to another pair of moccasins if the original pair wears out. Highly decorated moccasins, usually with beadwork, are not generally utilitarian, or for every day use, but rather for special occasions or ceremony.

A child’s pucker toe style moccasin. Deer leather, bell and ribbon. 2023.INV.107 A & B. Tomaquag Museum Collections.

13 Moons adolescent pucker toe moccasin. Deer leather and beads. Mishki Mars Thompson. Special purchase, 2025. Tomaquag Museum Collections.

Close-up of 13 Moons adolescent pucker toe moccasin. Deer leather and beads. Mishki Mars Thompson. Special purchase, 2025. Tomaquag Museum Collections.

Seen below is a gallery of the Tomaquag Museum’s Indigenous Empowerment Center’s Arts and Wellness community event where Narragansett youth were taught how to make their own pucker toe moccasins with Artists In Residence Robin Spears III.(Narragansett) & Mishki Thompson(Narragansett) ensuring that the next generation, not only has their own pair of moccasins, but know how to make them as well, ensuring this style and tradition continues.