How to Make Cree Snowshoes

The Cree are a tribe extending from Minnesota, parts of Ontario and Quebec, and parts of Wisconsin. The Cree actually call themselves Nehiyawok, meaning "Speakers of the Cree Language." The Cree live in areas with many lakes and open fields, making long and slender snowshoes impractical. Cree snowshoes have a subtle beavertail at the back and are round or oval. This design is perfect for walking across the open spaces on frozen lakes and fields.

Things You'll Need

  • Strip of raw willow wood
  • C-clamps
  • Drill
  • Leather lace stripping
  • Wide leather lace straps
  • Loom shuttle
  • Lagre leather straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your willow wood strip and cut it off so when bent into the beavertail oval it has a 3 foot diameter. Cut down the strip so it is 2 inches wide. Bend the strip and bring the ends together so the snowshoe racquet is in the shape of an oval, with one side having a "V" tail.

    • 2

      Clamp the ends together to secure the snowshoe racquet into position. Drill holes at the V big enough to allow the large leather strips to thread into the holes. Thread them through, wrap them around the V and tie them together so they hold the bend. Continue to leave the C-clamps on to help set the bend on the wood.

    • 3

      Go along the outside edge and mark a small dot in the center of the racket strip, marking one dot every 1/2 inch. Drill out the dots making holes all through the racquet ends.

    • 4

      Clamp the racket to a bench and set it up so it is vertical and like a loom. Thread the holes with the leather lacing, connecting the holes going side-to-side.

    • 5

      Thread the holes going top-to-bottom. While threading, crisscross the laces over and under the side-to-side laces, leaving a checkerboard pattern inside the snowshoe racquet. If needed, use a loom shuttle to thread the laces into the criss-cross pattern.

    • 6

      Place the snowshoes onto the floor once laced. Place your feet into the center of the shoes and mark the toe position with the foot centered on the lacing. Place the large leather straps over the toes on the foot and mark the location of the strap on the shoes.

    • 7

      Cut the straps to the size of the markings, so they are attachable and usable as the connection straps over boots or moccasins.

    • 8

      Tie the foot-toe straps to the lacing using a leather punch to punch the holes into the sides, and small leather laces tied to the lacing itself.