PHOTOGRAPHER:Joe Lucio
LOCATION OF PICTURE:Patuanak
COMMENTS:On Dec.22 1957 I flew to Patuanak.When I got off the plane the native population of Patuanak was waiting for me. They gave me a real great welcome.One of the residence came over to me and looked at my boots and said "Young man you will die in those boots,they are not suitable for this country. He said the boots are to heavy and if you had to walk along distance your feet would freeze. I will make you some new ones.The boots that I had on my feet were World War II flight boots. They were made of leather and inside they were lined with sheep.They where very heavy.
Two weeks later he came to my house with these beautiful hand made Mukluks.The shoe is made of smoked moose with felt that came up to my knee.They have beautiful beadwork as well as lynx fur around the ankle and near the top.To finish them off they put a red tassel on a draw string to hold the top tight.He said I could walk for ever and never get tired with these on my feet.A few months later I was to test this theory.I offered him money for them but he would not take it.I gave him my other boots which he took but I don't think he ever wore them.