Skjefte Helps Redesign Minnetonka Moccasins For A New Age

Lucie Skjefte ’16, a member of the Red Lake Nation Anishinaabeg, has redesigned Minnetonka's Thunderbird moccasin, becoming the first Native designer to do so. Skjefte holds exclusive copyright ownership and receives royalties for each pair sold. This collaboration follows Minnetonka's acknowledgment of past cultural appropriation and marks a significant step toward reconciliation.

In an interview with Native News Online, Skjefte emphasized the importance of Indigenous representation. Skjefte's collaboration with Minnetonka is emblematic of her broader commitment to Indigenous visibility and cultural preservation. Engaged in a project with the Mni Sota Fund to establish an American Indian cultural corridor in South Minneapolis, Skjefte advocates for the acknowledgment of artists and their narratives. Together, Minnetonka and Skjefte aim to elevate Indigenous voices and foster cultural inclusivity in fashion, embodying a genuine partnership founded on mutual respect.

Learn more

• How Family-Owned Minnetonka Addressed Its History of Cultural Appropriation
  (inc.com—February 20, 2024)
• QandA: Ojibwe Designer Lucie Skjefte on New Collaboration with Minnetonka Footwear
  (yahoo.com—May 16, 2024)