Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation
We make our moccasins and mukluks for everyone. By purchasing from us, you are participating in cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. When you purchase from Manitobah, you are directly supporting Indigenous people and celebrating Indigenous culture in an authentic, meaningful way that supports us in our vision to create positive impact in Indigenous communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! We make our moccasins and mukluks for everyone. By purchasing from us, you are participating in cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. When you purchase from Manitobah, you are directly supporting Indigenous people and celebrating Indigenous culture in an authentic, meaningful way that helping us in our vision to create positive impact in Indigenous communities.
To make our brand more accessible, to support our social impact initiatives, and to allow us to compete with other global fashion brands, we produce our products in international ethical partner factories. Our factory partners that support our growing product line go through an in-depth 3rd party inspection and internal Social Compliance Audit. These high standards are continually monitored and respected. We are proud of our manufacturing policies and our ability to build capacity globally. We believe that our success as an Indigenous business has been due to our willingness to walk forward while honouring our past.
Manitobah Mukluks makes a variety of products that match Canada's diverse climates. We offer select styles of adult mukluks that are waterproof. Those styles are tagged online as waterproof and can be seen here.
Both styles of children's mukluks are waterproof. They have been treated with our AuthenTEC waterproofing system; treated hide and an internal flexible coating that is inspired by pine pitch and spruce gum. Manitobah conducts rigorous waterproof and temperature testing using a minimum 50,000 flex standard.
The rest of the adult mukluks are constructed with natural suede and leather which are not sealed and not considered waterproof. We recommend treating them with a leather/suede protector to help with water resistance and general protection. All of our MUKLUKS are insulated with sheepskin footbeds and most are constructed with untreated suede which is porous (and not considered waterproof). These natural materials need to breathe in order to be effective in extreme cold. Indigenous people have been surviving in the coldest climates for thousands of years using this very wisdom.
Protection: Use a silicone-based leather/suede protector. Do not spray fur, as it contains natural protective oils. We offer a protecting spray as part of our Care Kit here.
To Clean: Leather can be cleaned using a gentle soap and soft brush. For salt, wipe down with a damp cloth. Even if they have been sprayed, salt is corrosive and can cause damage.
To Dry: Once wet, allow your footwear to dry naturally
Wear: Never pull fur when putting on or removing boot, fur sheds over time and frequent friction will cause the fur to shed much faster. Cross laces over before tightening to avoid tearing leather eyeholes
Storage: When ready to store them for the season you should clean them, allow them to dry and then pack them away in a sealed container away from heat, moisture and pets (a plastic storage tote works great.) You can also use a pool noodle or something similar in the shaft to keep them upright during storage.
Boots and mukluks with the Two Rivers sole have a more contoured fit with a distinct left and right sole. It offers a closer-to-the-foot feel, supportive midfoot structure, and modern boot comfort. Deep grooves and textured pads provide traction on snow and ice.
Mukluks and moccasins with the Tipi, Suede or Crepe sole are true to size and will stretch slightly with wear to form a custom, comfortable fit. This symmetrical sole without a distinct left or right foot has been used on Indigenous footwear for thousands of years, and the material will form to your foot with continued use.
Moccasins and shoes with the Turtle, Birch Berry and Bear sole have a close-to-the-ground feel with a distinct left and right sole. These soles generally fit true to size, and each sole type offers a unique pattern with texture for traction.
For more information about our soles and sizing, please visit our Soles & Sizing page.
Our sheepskin-lined mukluks are considered one of the warmest winter boots for northern winters and are rated down to -32 degrees Celsius. Partnering with Vibram has also allowed us to design a sole that allows your foot to bend. Research indicates that flexible soles promote proper foot movement and blood circulation to your toes. This means that in cold dry weather, our mukluks will allow your feet to stay warmer than almost anything on the market.