These Inupiat boots are from Shishmaref, a village in Alaska. Historically, Inupiat women from this village would create intricately beaded strips of caribou or sealskin that were made into bands that would decorate the tops of boot shafts. Often, these beaded bands were sold and traded with other Indigenous makers. Ester Obruk crafted this pair of boots in 1983. The soles are made of waterproof sealskin, the uppers of warm caribou, and the bands are made of turquoise textile with blue, red, white, and pink beadwork. 

Date of production: 1983-1984

Place of design: Shishmaref, Alaska, United States of America

Seal skin, reindeer skin, spotted seal skin, elder bark, acrylic, cotton, glass, polyester

Museum: Bata Shoe Museum