Biida’adoo – Walking Her Path
Cindy Hamilton
EXHIBIT: March 13 – May 15, 2026
RECEPTION: Saturday, March 28 from 2 – 4pm
Artist Statement
Every stitch, every bead, and every brushstroke tells the story of a profound journey of ancestral discovery turned into creative exploration and expression for Ojibwe artist Cindy Hamilton.
Known as “The Moccasin Lady,” Hamilton is recognized for her beautiful craftsmanship of traditional leatherwork—like moccasins, mukluks, and mitts—incorporating Metis embroidery and Ojibwe florals into many of her designs in honor of her heritage and to preserve these Indigenous cultural practices.
But, she wasn’t always a culture bearer—or an artist. Hamilton fully awakened to her Indigenous roots in her adult years after seeing a photograph of her great-grandmother adorned in split-toe moccasins, ushering in a new mission to research, self-teach, and pass on the art of moccasin making and other Native artisanship.
A life of ever-evolving, creative expression followed this transformational journey of ancestral homecoming. Hamilton began exploring different art forms, finding passion, curiosity, and natural talent in portraiture—painting a diverse array of subjects, from animals to warriors to celebrities.
Biida’adoo – “Walking Her Path” is an opportunity to celebrate the power of Indigenous art and to experience the diverse ways in which culture, history, and individual expression intertwine, inviting viewers to appreciate the artist’s unique vision and voice.
Artist Bio
Cindy Hamilton is a talented Ojibwe artist hailing from Treaty 3 with a rich cultural heritage that encompasses both European and First Nations ancestry, including Metis roots.
As an adult in the late 1990’s, Cynthia was working on her genealogy when she was inspired by a picture of her Great-Grandmother adorned in beautiful moccasins, Cynthia instantly knew she had to learn the art herself. She taught herself through extensive research and experimentation, eventually crafting her own unique patterns. What started as a hobby transformed into a meaningful artistic expression, keeping her family’s cultural traditions alive.
Highlights of career/journey – Cindy has received several Individual Art grants and an Artist Fellowship thru Region 2 Arts. She was chosen by Manitoba Mukluks to be a contributing artist for thier Indigenous Market and has been there for the last 2 years. She has been included in 9 Group Art Exhibitions across the State of Minnesota in the last 3 years. She won “Best in Show” at the juried Art Contest at the 2nd Annual Anishinaabe Art Festival in Bemidji in July 2024. Cindy is a 2025 recipient of the MSAB Creative Individual Grant. She is the current President of the Lake of the Woods Art Guild in Baudette.
Cynthia’s diverse skills span from crafting traditional moccasins, mukluks and mitts, to portrait painting in pastels, oils, and acrylics. Her dedication to honoring her First Nations and Metis heritage is evident in her work.
As Cynthia continues to create breathtaking artwork and impart her knowledge through community workshops and exhibitions, her profound connection to her roots remains an essential foundation in all her artistic endeavors
