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The Moccasin Identifier is taking its First Nations-led education movement coast-to-coast.
On Sept. 29, the organization announced its highly anticipated “National Plan,” expanding its iconic treaty-learning initiative beyond Ontario to reach schools, workplaces, and communities across Canada.
Launching just before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the National Plan moves beyond a single day of reflection.
“It provides year-round tools to spark concrete, ongoing action and relationship-building,” the project press release states. “Deeply rooted in its home community, Moccasin Identifier was born out of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, where it continues to proudly operate today with Elder Carolyn King, C.M., serving as its Founder and Ambassador.”
The expansion features 11 new regional moccasin stencil designs representing First Nations histories in and around Canada’s capital cities.
This brings the total collection to 15 distinct designs.
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation artist Cathie Jamieson led the research and artistic curation of the new moccasin stencils, working alongside Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, and cultural experts from across Canada.
Her renderings were informed by historical cultural items, including pieces cared for in the permanent collection of the Bata Shoe Museum, where the public is encouraged to visit to explore these histories firsthand.
Through this collaborative process, the project respectfully explores regional footwear knowledge, Indigenous presence, Treaty relationships, and the histories and cultures connected to each region—the collection includes notable regional collaborations, such as a Mi’kmaw pucker-toe design by Millbrook First Nation Elder Dr. Gerald Gloade.
Alongside the new stencils, Moccasin Identifier is rolling out new educational modules specifically tailored for primary, middle-years, and secondary students.
“Our goal is to educate and create meaningful relationships across the land on a national scale,” said Laurie Froman, executive director of the Moccasin Identifier. “These designs are an open invitation to learning and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation. As with our ancestral history, First Nations diplomatic efforts have always focused on collectively establishing peace and sharing land and resources. The Moccasin Identifier’s national expansion aims to continue this long-established unity among distinct First Nations while extending an invitation to all people to pursue a shared future across Canada. Guided by the foundational principles of peace and friendship for all nations, our initiative is proven to be one of the most in-demand pathways for understanding treaty relationships.”
In the new national plan there will be a 15-stencil collection, consisting of the original four Ontario designs plus 11 new regional designs spanning Canada’s capital regions.
There will be kindergarten to Grade 12 educational modules with tailored lesson plans exploring Indigenous histories, cultures, treaties, and shared responsibilities.
The project also incorporates experiential learning, with interactive workshops, presentations, and hands-on moccasin stencilling activities available for booking.
The project was made possible with support from the Government of Canada and Toronto Pearson’s Propeller Project. The new National Stencil Kit is now available online.
Educators, municipal leaders, and community groups can order kits and book programming today by visiting moccasinidentifier.com.
The Moccasin Identifier project was founded by Elder Carolyn King, C.M., former elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Moccasin Identifier is a First Nations-led initiative with a vision to “cover Canada in moccasins.”
Through public art, stencilling, and training, the project creates relational markers on the land that serve as visual reminders of Indigenous presence, identity, history, and culture.
Originally published in the Two Row Times, September 30, 2026 (Volume 14, Issue 7), page 8.