National Ribbon Skirt Day
This day was officially recognized in 2022, inspired by the story of Isabella Kulak, a young girl from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan. In 2020, Isabella wore a ribbon skirt to a formal event at her school. However, her pride quickly turned into shame when she was told by a staff member that her ribbon skirt did not count as formal wear. Isabella’s experience sparked an outpouring of support from across the country, drawing attention to the need for increased awareness and acceptance of Indigenous traditions, cultures, and ways of being.
Where did ribbon skirts come from?
The history of the ribbon skirt is complex and diverse, with origins dating back to the 1800s and the broad-cloth skirts European women brought with them to North America. During that time, many Indigenous women started adding brightly colored silk ribbons and embroidered patterns to these skirts as a way to express their pride in their own cultural identity. Sadly, in 1884, in an amendment of the Indian Act called the Potlatch Ban, ribbon skirts and many other ceremonial practices were banned by the government. This ban resulted in imprisonment of many Indigenous people and the confiscation of clothing and precious ceremonial items.
What is the significance of the ribbon skirt?
The significance, traditions and protocols associated with the ribbon skirt vary across communities and even individual families. For many, the making and wearing of ribbon skirts is about reviving an important cultural practice that was lost during the Residential School era and bringing the sacred practices back into Indigenous spaces. One of the purposes of ceremonial clothing, including ribbon skirts, is to connect the wearer to culture, tradition, and even the Earth itself. Many Indigenous traditions dictate the use of long skirts in ceremony as well as sweat lodge ceremony to connect to the Earth, so that she (Mother Earth) would know who was touching her when the wearer made their prayers, and that the fringe of the skirt would touch the Medicines as they walked. In modern times, ribbon skirts still embody that deep cultural connection as well as become a symbol of the resilience and strength of Indigenous women, girls and two spirited people.
On this day, Canadians are encouraged to learn more about the significance of the ribbon skirt, the history and symbolism it brings. It’s a step toward reconciliation and celebrating Indigenous contributions to Canada’s cultural fabric.
