National Ribbon Skirt Day celebrated locally (4 photos)

Members of the Indigenous community were taking to social media earlier this week to show off their prized ribbon skirts during the inaugural National Ribbon Skirt Day held Jan. 4.  

"My ribbon skirt is my display of pride and identity; it is a representation of strength, tradition, culture and healing," said Stephanie Carrier, who submitted a photo along with her thoughts on ribbon skirts to SooToday. "Every single stitch, every applique and every ribbon represent our resiliency as Indigenous Kwe. When I wear my ribbon skirts, I feel grounded and centred."

Passed unanimously into law by Parliament last month, National Ribbon Skirt Day originates with the story of Isabella Kulak, a member of Cote First Nation, Sask., who was shamed for wearing her handmade ribbon skirt to a formal wear day at her rural Saskatchewan school in December 2020. 

"Traditionally worn by First Nations and Métis peoples, ribbon skirts are a centuries-old symbol of identity, adaptation, and survival for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, and represents a direct connection to Mother Earth." said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement earlier this week. "Isabella’s story shone a light on the enduring injustices, racism, and discrimination faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada every day, and on the importance of the role we all have to play in making sure that what happened never happens again to anyone in Canada."