Birch Bark Shoe 1938

Eugene C. Miller, born in 1855, made this watercolor painting titled 'Birch Bark Shoe' sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Miller was working during a period when Indigenous cultures were subject to intense pressure from expanding settler societies. This image is evocative for several reasons. The birch bark shoe represents a practical item and a potent symbol of Indigenous identity and resourcefulness. Its careful rendering is a preservation and a celebration of cultural heritage. Consider the act of depicting such an object. Does it freeze the shoe in time, or does it allow for the story of its origins and creation to continue to be told? This image reflects an intersection of personal expression, cultural identity, and historical context.