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So you want to buy baby moccasins for your Native American friend who has just had a baby? That is a very cute idea. There may be one tiny problem--buying moccasins with rival tribe decorations and beading. Since you are not sure if your friend would be insulted by the rival tribe or Nation's beadwork, you may either want to skip this idea, or decipher the right moccasins for your friend's baby. Here are a few helpful tips to buy baby moccasins to set you on the correct path.

Find out What Nation and Tribe Your Friend Belongs To

First and foremost, find out what Nation and tribe your friend belongs to. If she is at least one quarter Native American, she should be registered with a Nation and tribe for Native American rights and benefits. Then you can research her nation and tribe for beadwork designs that are culturally important to that Nation and tribe.

For example, the Iroquois Nation have different tribes within their Nation, and the beaded art of their Nation often incorporates the turtle, the bear, bear claws, and seed beads. The Navajo use polished bits of turquoise and turquoise beads in their beadwork. The Nations of the Great Plains use the symbol of the buffalo and the horse and incorporated quills and feathers. Knowing your friend's Nation and tribe helps you discover just what kind of beadwork honors her and her new baby.

Know What Skins and Hides Were Traditionally Used by Her People

People always assume that Native Americans all used buckskin as their go-to leather. That is simply untrue. Hides from many different animals were used to make clothing and shoes. It just depended on what was available and what region of the country the people were from. Deer hide was common, sure, but beaver pelts were soft and waterproof, and the woolly fibers of buffalo lined their footwear in winter. Research this as well so that the baby moccasins you buy are as authentic as your friend.

If You Do Not Know, Ask

Native American people are generally more than willing to share their culture and heritage with others. If you do not know what to look for or how to begin your research, ask. You can also visit a reservation to see examples of beadwork on moccasins there. Look for Native American cultural museums where you can see more beadwork and talk to a curator about what kind of beadwork is typical of your friend's Nation and tribe. You may learn quite a lot when you do the necessary research to give your friend culturally sensitive baby shoes.