National Ribbon Skirt Day is an opportunity to honour the significance of ribbon skirts or shirts while celebrating Indigenous culture, resilience and identity. Worn during ceremonies and gatherings, ribbon skirts carry a powerful symbol of pride, tradition and spirituality.
On Jan. 4, the First Nation Health Authority invites you to join the celebration by wearing and sharing your beautiful ribbon skirt and shirts on our social media pages or under the hashtag #fnharibbonskirtphotos.
About National Ribbon Skirt Day
National Ribbon Skirt Day was influenced by Isabella Kulak, a young member of Cote First Nation from southeastern Saskatchewan. Isabella wore a ribbon skirt to her school's formal event in December 2020, but was criticized for not adhering to the dress code. A teacher's assistant told Isabella her ribbon skirt wasn't formal enough and asked Isabella to change.
Ribbon skirts are unique, often handmade, and carry special meaning for the wearer. Isabella's ribbon skirt was handmade by her aunt, who included colours and patterns that represented their culture. Isabella's story was shared widely across social media, inspiring a movement where other First Nations, Métis and Inuit women shared photos of wearing their own ribbon skirts.
Isabella's school, Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, eventually apologized to her family. The Kamsack Comprehensive Institute declared Jan. 4, 2022, to be Ribbon Skirt Day at the school. Isabella's story led to the establishment of National Ribbon Skirt Day through parliamentary recognition in 2022. Mary Jane McAllum, a member of Cree First Nation and a Manitoba Senator, passed a Bill that declared Jan. 4, 2023, as the first National Ribbon Skirt Day.
A cultural safety learning opportunity
People often think of Canada's dark history in connection with Indigenous peoples as something that happened long ago. But as Isabella's story illustrates, a lack of cultural competency continues to disrupt and interrupt First Nations people to this very day.
National Ribbon Skirt Day is a learning opportunity and a time to reflect on cultural safety and how Canada must continue to work towards Truth and Reconciliation.
