What does your ribbon skirt mean to you?

Onkwehón:we across Turtle Island donned their ribbon skirts on January 4, in recognition of the third annual National Ribbon Skirt Day.

Ribbon Skirt Day first came about after Isabel Kulak, who was 10 at the time, wore a ribbon skirt to a formal event at her school. The child, a member of the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, had been told by teachers at the school that the skirt didn’t count as “formal attire” prompting her and her family to speak out about the experience.

The story sparked outrage across Turtle Island and led to January 4 being designated National Ribbon Skirt Day, an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and history of the ribbon skirt.

In celebration of National Ribbon Skirt Day, The Eastern Door spoke with community members about what their ribbon skirt means to them.

Queenie McComber

Queenie McComber has been making ribbon skirts for decades and puts her heart and soul into each stitch. She said that ideas for new colours and patterns come naturally to her.

“To me, the ribbon skirt means survival, and our identity. Plus, we’re so resilient, it keeps us grounded to Mother Earth, and you wear it with a good mind. I thank the Creator every day for my creativity,” she said. “This is my passion. I love doing babywear, you should see what I make for the summer!”

 Kaylia Diabo-Morris

Kaylia Diabo-Morris didn’t know how to make a ribbon skirt before last month, when she took a class with local designer Karoniénhawe Diabo.

“Recently, my whole entire family started getting together for a potluck and healing circle. Everyone would wear their ribbon skirts, and we would get a traditional cleanse, and some of us were chosen to get a reading done,” she said. “This is where I started getting an interest to make my own ribbon skirt.”

Diabo-Morris and her family booked a private class with Diabo to learn how to make the skirt.

“It took us three classes to finish. It was very satisfying at the end when I got to wear my own. My husband is in remission from leukemia, so this ribbon skirt was extra special,” she said. “We started the class when he was in remission. He encouraged me to get out of the house and do something for myself, so I did, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to.”

Wendy Mayo

Wendy Mayo coordinates a class taught by Lori Beauchamp where community members learn how to sew their own ribbon skirts at the Golden Age Club, as well as other garments like ribbon shirts. She’s been helping to make owning a ribbon skirt more accessible for the community.

“It represents our culture. It’s medicine, how you wear it,” she said. “I myself wear my skirt knowing all the others that have worn them before me.”

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