The moccasins represent a sliver of the former Robertson Collection destroyed by a wildfire in June. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Robertson Family

Art exhibit showcases found collection of traditional moccasins

Nov 19, 2025 | 3:50 PM

Scott Robertson nearly cried when he discovered a small collection of moccasins while cleaning out his father’s basement this summer.

In June, Robertson Trading – a cherished landmark and hub in Northern Saskatchewan – burned to the ground after a fast-moving wildfire breached the town’s permitter. The grocery store and trading post housed a collection of Indigenous artwork and regalia going back more than five decades and all was lost with the business.

Now, the newly discovered collection of 13 moccasins are on display at the Alex Robertson Public Library for the month of November.

“It’s fantastic to give people a taste of this stuff,” Robertson explained.

“The tragedy, the irony is we had literally probably 200 or 250 pair of fully beaded moose hide moccasins from all over Northern Saskatchewan. We actually kept a display. Even people who never wanted to sell moccasins to us, I would ask them if they had any particular talent, I would say ‘build me one pair of moccasins, I’ll put your name on it, I’ll put the date on it, I won’t sell it and, at some point, this will go into a collection and it will go on display. We had dozens and dozens of those – all went into smoke.”

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Prior to the wildfire, the Robertsons had committed to doing a display at the library. They thought they would have to cancel the exhibit all together before the collection of 13 moccasins were discovered.

A display about the Robertson Collection can also be viewed at the library. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Robertson noted all the moccasins were handmade in Northern Saskatchewan, mostly by Woodland Cree people. He added they likely go back 30 years.

“Some are geometric, some are floral. It’s all good quality stuff,” Robertson remarked.

“It’s all fully beaded, collars fully beaded. These are the real McCoys. This is the kind of thing that everybody’s great grandma used to wear.”

The public is invited to a special art reception on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Alex Robertson Public Library for an official unveiling.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com