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Project 57 Week 51: Ribbon skirts

Published April 16, 2025 by Ashley Edwards

Ribbon skirts are beautiful, symbolic pieces of clothing that have been worn since the early 1800’s. Along with other types of cloth, silk ribbons were introduced by colonial traders and over time were added to Indigenous decorations and ceremonial practices. (Metcalfe, 2010) “Ribbons were also appliquéd onto clothing, sometimes using a mirror-image design with ribbons of contrasting colors. Ribbons were also used where pigment would normally [be] - the brighter colors of the ribbons was one of the reason[s] why this material was so readily incorporated in to important regalia.” (Metcalfe, 2010)

The modern ribbon skirts of today and the historical ribbon skirts of the past may not have the same style or symbolism, but now, “for Indigenous peoples, the Ribbon Skirt represents [their] own personal reclamation. It represents reclaiming identity, and wearing that identity proudly. It has become armour. It is a cultural protection against assimilation and degradation. It is a reminder of [their] roles in our community as women and as members. It reminds [them] of [their] sacredness as women and the power in that. It tells [their] story of adaptation and survival.” (Heitland, n.d.). Like many Indigenous cultural practices, different Indigenous Peoples and Nations each have their own protocols and ways of wearing, making and using these garments. (Heitland, n.d.)

Ribbon skirts were another piece of clothing Indigenous Peoples had taken from them and were prohibited from wearing them for hundreds of years. (Fanshawe Institute of Indigenous Learning, 2024) “[N]ow it is coming back into this point in time where native women are stepping in to their own light and their own identity. Where [they] no longer have to be afraid or be scared about who [they] are, or hide who [they] are… [Ribbon skirts are] a representation about being proud of who [they] are, as the original women of Turtle Island, of who [they] are… [These skirts] represent [their] home, it represents life for first nations women.” (Fanshawe Institute of Indigenous Learning, 2024)

In part to bring more awareness to more Indigenous People’s cultural practices, the first National Ribbon Skirt Day was celebrated in January 2023. It became a day of recognition, when a young Anishinaabe girl, Isabella Kulak, wore her handmade ribbon skirt to a formal dress day at her school, where she was told that her ribbon skirt was not formal enough. Isabella then spoke with her family about what happened and her aunt shared the story publicly. (Press, 2023) This led a national wave of support. In 2022, that event and the support of Isabella led to Senator Mary Jane McCallum putting forward a bill that establishes January 4th as National Ribbon Skirt Day.” (BigEagle, 2023) Isabella’s reclaiming her identity by proudly wearing her ribbon skirt and standing strong for community, led to an opportunity for many more people in this country to learn about ribbon skirts and their cultural significance.

Kaija Heitland (Métis) while writing about ribbon skirts said: “Ribbon Skirts are a symbol of resilience, survival and identity, but their meaning changes with each person who wears one and each person who shares their history… [and] When we wear our ribbon skirts, we are reaffirming what we know ourselves to be. This is my strength, and the strength of the community that claims me.” (Heitland, n.d.)