Originally, the long snowshoes were used by men, while women used the round ones.

Women’s snowshoes were often more decorated to signify respect.

Round snowshoes were used in the James Bay region. Chisasibi Eeyouch were the first ones to use the long ones!

My grandfather used to walk from Chisasibi to Moose Factory on snowshoes.

Round snowshoes are better for walking in open areas, while long snowshoes are more suited for environments like Waswanipi, where there are dense forests with closely spaced trees. 

Keeping snowshoes outside was important, and their placement held special significance. They were placed with one snowshoe pointing forward and the other backward, symbolizing that they would always take you where you needed to go—but also bring you back home.

Guaranteed you would come back and not get lost out there !!