These Boots Were Made…

...for walking and that’s just what they do. But, they do it so beautifully. From the first day at the health centre through to this week’s blizzard, you can see the importance of proper winter weather wear. Tomorrow it’s coats, but today, it’s footwear. I’ve taken some time to post a few shots of the various boots that I’ve seen and people have allowed me to shoot. Thanks to all for your input.

My scheduled time here in RI is fast coming to a close. Sunday, I’m supposed to leave at 9:00 with arrival at home sometime in the wee hours of Monday morning. The long range forecast shows sunny weather for the weekend, but only time will tell. Winds (max. plus 60 kph) and blowing snow had commercial flights yesterday and medivac flights the night before, diverted and cancelled but the storm has moved on and so should this story.

Many of the female staff wear their “boots” proudly. Various furs, intricately sewn together for various designs are display on feet upon arrival in the morning. Noon and five o’clock show the same parade. There are seal, beaver and the others. Susie, for example, has two pairs. One set are her Baffin Boots as she told me while the others are her West Coasters as I call them since we are on this side of the Hudson’s Bay.

Storage in the south for these boots presents a problem. You have to keep them cold for them to retain their flexibility. They will dry out especially the way we heat our houses in winter. Most people wouldn’t store these boots in the freezer or fridge but that’s exactly what you need to do. In this dry climate, they seem to remain flexible despite the summer heat but that is such a short period during the year.

The younger generations do not have the skills needed to put these things together. Like those our grandparents once possessed, we have lost the talents so necessary to survive and flourish. Once the animal skins have been harvested, they must be prepared. They are cleaned, stretched and blocked to dry. Then the must be worked to be made supple. The selection of skins is as important as is how they are cut, trimmed, and assembled.
And after they are put together and the stitching is completed, how they look is only important to the tourists. Well, yes, the look is important. Here, however, function is the guide. Furs here are part of the culture. Their warmth surpasses synthetics hands down. Fur mitts are warm and toasty even in the most bitter winter winds. During this past few days of blowing snow and bitter winds, I’m glad I’ve had my hands inside a couple of beaver ones.