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Honouring The Strength of Indigenous Women – National Ribbon Skirt Day

Jan 13, 2025 | Ishmael Van Der Rassel, Student Storyteller

Honouring The Strength of Indigenous Woman – National Ribbon Skirt Day

January 4th, Indigenous communities recognized and celebrated National Ribbon Skirt Day. This day is honour Indigenous woman and serves as a reminder to continue and protecting Indigenous cultures while supporting the resilience and strength of Indigenous people. 

Ribbon skirts date back to the 1800s, during when Indigenous woman started bright colours with silk ribbons and embroidered skirts. This was a way for Indigenous their pride and cultural identity. In 1884, the Canadian government introduced the Potlach Ban as an amendment to the Indian Act, which prohibited ribbon skirts, ceremonial items and other cultural traditions from being shown or worn. 

This ban resulted in the imprisonment of Indigenous people and confiscation of cultural and ceremonial items that have never been returned. This day was created in response to an incident in 2020, where a young Indigenous girl Isabella Kirk wore her ribbon skirt to school that was handmade by her aunt. Her ribbon skirt showed Ojibway symbols and cultural traditions on it. She was told by the school that her ribbon skirt was not acceptable. 

Instead of being silent and letting this colonial discrimination continue, Isabella spoke up and her advocacy led to the apology to her by the school and legislation passed by the Canadian Senate and introduced by Senator Mary Jane Callum proclaiming January 4th as National Ribbon Skirt Day. 

#Indigenous #Indigenous Studies