Celebrating Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada: Honouring Culture, Strength, and Resilience

Ribbon Skirt Day, celebrated annually on January 4th, is a time to honour Indigenous women, their strength, and the rich cultural heritage embodied in the ribbon skirt. This day holds profound significance across Canada, symbolizing resilience, identity, and the intergenerational transmission of tradition.

The ribbon skirt, a vibrant and deeply symbolic garment, tells stories of survival and adaptation. Its colourful ribbons are more than decorative; they carry messages of connection, community, and the personal journey of the person wearing it. For many Indigenous women, the ribbon skirt is a cherished cultural expression that connects them to their roots and honours their role as keepers of sacred knowledge.

Leanna Willier, a coordinator of Cokel’s Indigenous Monitoring and Training program currently working on a Project, shares her personal reflections on the ribbon skirt:

"My name is Leanna Willier, and I am from Sucker Creek First Nation within Treaty 8. The ribbon skirt to me represents a symbol of womanhood, culture, and strength. It is a reminder of my sacredness as a woman and the power and responsibility that come with such an honour. The ribbon skirt tells a story of our adaptation and survival as the first people of Turtle Island. It is an identifying piece that connects me to the earth and Grandmother moon. I like to wear my ribbon skirt when in the presence of drums, pipes, feathers, and other sacred items and always when attending ceremonies."

Leanna Willier

Leanna’s words capture the profound significance of the ribbon skirt, highlighting its role as a living testament to Indigenous resilience and spirituality. The garment’s ties to the natural world—symbolized by the earth and Grandmother Moon—underscore its sacred nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

The Origins of Ribbon Skirt Day

Ribbon Skirt Day became an officially recognized event in Canada in 2022, inspired by the story of Isabella Kulak, a young girl from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan. In 2020, Isabella faced criticism for wearing a ribbon skirt to her school’s formal event. Her story sparked a national conversation about cultural pride and the importance of embracing Indigenous traditions.

In response, Indigenous leaders, allies, and communities rallied to celebrate and protect this symbol of identity and resilience. The day now serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and the need to uplift Indigenous voices and traditions.

How to Participate in Ribbon Skirt Day

1. Learn and Share Stories: Take time to learn about the significance of ribbon skirts and the rich histories they represent. Share these stories with your community to foster understanding and respect.

2. Support Indigenous Initiatives: Amplify Indigenous voices and support Indigenous projects, which celebrates and empowers Indigenous communities.

3. Attend Events or Ceremonies: Many communities host events, workshops, or ceremonies on Ribbon Skirt Day. Participating in these gatherings is a meaningful way to connect and show respect.

   
   

A Day to Celebrate and Reflect

Ribbon Skirt Day is more than a celebration; it is a call to action. It invites all Canadians to reflect on the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and to honour the sacred traditions that continue to thrive despite centuries of adversity. By embracing and uplifting these stories, we take a step closer to a future built on respect, understanding, and reconciliation.

Team Building with Purpose

Five Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) teams gathered in downtown Calgary recently to tour the TC Energy corporate office and learn from past participants who have now become environmental inspectors.

The day started with a tour of TC Energy’s control room, which included information on the control centers, their locations in North America, shutdowns, and fail-safes for potential issues in TC Energy’s network of pipelines and facilities. Next, the ICPP teams got to know each other, by presenting about themselves, and meet some of the support personnel from the TC Energy office over lunch. “It was a good way for the field and office teams to understand one another’s role and the value of the program,” stated Dina Sutherland, ICPP Program Manager.

At the end of the day, two past ICPP participants, who have gone on to be environmental inspectors, told the group how they advanced and became environmental inspectors. “Our trip to the TC Energy office and being able to meet each of the other crews was an awesome experience. I have already learned so much throughout this season, but being able to hear from past ICPP participants about how they became environmental inspectors was definitely the highlight of the trip. I learned from them that you can never have enough education, that you will always be learning and the only one stopping you from succeeding is yourself,” explained Makayla Beck, Lundbreck ICPP participant from the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

TC Energy’s ICPP facilitates Indigenous environmental monitoring with on-the-job training. Two objectives of the program are to provide opportunities for Indigenous community members to build practical understanding of NGTL’s construction activities and mitigation measures and facilitate Indigenous employment and training opportunities. “The Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience in pipeline construction. The program's emphasis on environmental considerations and mitigation measures stood out. By combining my traditional knowledge with industry best practices, the ICPP can provide a truly enriching experience. Don't just be a passenger, participate by taking notes, photos and asking questions to maximize your progress. The ICPP can be a stepping stone toward a brighter future by combining traditional knowledge with modern environmental practices during pipeline construction,” stated Gary Calliou, past ICPP Participant who is now an Environmental Inspector.

"You need to be confident and determined to work hard, and to invest time and money into yourself. In years to come I hope to see one of you up here presenting on your experience of becoming an Environmental Inspector." Leanna Willier, past ICPP participant who is now an Environmental Inspector.

ICPP Honours September 30th’s Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation Day, or Orange Shirt Day, is about growing awareness for the people, families and communities impacted by the residential school system. “September 30th is a day to recognize what happened, put it in the past and start healing. It is encouraged that non-Indigenous people attend something like the powwow in a local First Nation community as this is a way to start the reconciliation process,” stated Bernadette, an Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) participant and a ?aq’am community member. Everyone can support reconciliation every day by learning, by caring and by taking action.

The ICPP teams were urged to take time to honour September 30th and attend community events. One team travelled to the ?aq’am community to attend a powwow ceremony in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. “We observed the grand entry, which was quite impressive because of the attention to detail on all the regalia and the energy that goes into the drumming and dancing, even the young children got involved. It was definitely a highlight of my experiences as a coordinator,” explained Bill Phillips, ICPP Coordinator. 25 to 30 people came forward that were affected by residential schools and introduced themselves; Bernadette was one of those brave people. She attended the St Mary's residential school until it shut it down in 1970.

The team also stopped at a local fall fair where an ?aq’am community member, who lost their house in this summer’s forest fires, was selling Indian Tacos and fry bread. The coordinator tried his first Indian Taco and thought it was great! ?aq’am is a community that had seven houses burn from the summer forest fires. “We drove to the community on Saturday, after the powwow, and there were lots of areas (land and trees) burned in addition to the seven houses that were destroyed,” explained Bill.

The other ICPP team attended a pipe offering officiated by an Elder of the Horn Society. Guest speakers shared their stories of residential schools and systemic racism. The team then attended a powwow and market. The day prior, the contractor hosted a lunch and had a video link to a presentation by Dr. Lana Potts, who told her story about being orphaned as a young woman with younger siblings and how it was like winning the lottery when she received a scholarship. She also talked about the racism and ridicule she faced even after receiving her medical practitioner's license and the challenges of opening a medical clinic in her home nation of Piikani. She has held many positions, including three terms on the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada board. It was an inspirational presentation.

“We have to recognize and navigate the darkness before we can see the light.” Shayla Stonechild