Native artists working with Minnetonka Moccasin to reclaim appropriated designs

The Minnesota-based footwear brand Minnetonka Moccasin has been around since 1946, but it made its mark in the shoe industry by appropriating Native footwear and designs.

Since issuing a public apology in 2021 for decades of profiting from Native culture, the company has been working to reconcile with Native American tribes. Their newest initiative is the Minnetonka Reclamation Collaborative, which brings together Native artists to redesign the company’s appropriated designs, create new products and reclaim cultural narratives. It launched at the beginning of the month.

For more, MPR News host Nina Moini talks with reconciliation advisor Adrienne Benjamin, who leads the effort and is a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.