Moccasin Workshop Today Strengthens Culture and Community Health

The College of Menominee Nation opens Shirley Daly Hall this afternoon for a Moccasin Making workshop aimed at students and community members. The two-hour session, scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, invites participants to learn and practice traditional moccasin construction in a hands-on format. Registration and contact links for questions or accommodations are included through the college calendar and student portal.

This workshop is part of a broader set of cultural programs at the college that include weaving and beading. Those programs are designed to support traditional arts skill-building and the transmission of knowledge across generations. For Menominee County residents, the event offers more than a craft lesson; it provides a space for cultural affirmation and social connection within a community that has experienced historical marginalization.

Cultural workshops can play an important role in community health. Skill-sharing sessions reduce social isolation, strengthen intergenerational bonds, and create settings where mental health and wellbeing are supported informally through social cohesion. For Indigenous communities, continuity of cultural practice is linked to identity, resilience, and collective healing. Hosting these activities on campus makes them accessible to students while also signaling the college's role as a community hub.

Access and equity remain central considerations. The college’s provision of registration links and accommodation contacts helps lower barriers to participation, but practical obstacles such as transportation, childcare, and scheduling can still prevent full community engagement. Local health planners and policymakers can view support for cultural programming as part of a broader public health strategy that addresses social determinants of health—investing in affordable, accessible community spaces and transportation options can amplify the impact of workshops like this one.

For residents, the workshop is a direct opportunity to learn a traditional skill, connect with neighbors, and contribute to cultural preservation. For community leaders and health officials, it is a reminder that arts and culture are integral to public health and social equity. Continued support for community-facing cultural education will be important for sustaining the wellbeing and cultural vitality of Menominee County.