'A symbol of our resilience': Montrealers mark first-ever National Ribbon Skirt Day
Workers at a Montreal shelter on Wednesday donned traditional garments worn by Indigenous women to mark the first-ever National Ribbon Skirt Day.
The staff at Resilience Montreal normally wear jeans to work but traded in their usual clothing for ribbon skirts to mark the new event inspired by a young Saskatchewan girl who was shamed for wearing one to school in December 2020.
"Our ribbon skirt is a symbol of our resilience and our pride," said Vicki McDonald, a Resilience Montreal intervention worker.
Isabella Kulak, from Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, wore the garment to her school and received negative comments from a staff member. The school division apologized, but the young girl's story sparked a movement.
"It makes me very proud, especially to have such a young girl, you know, Isabella, to be voicing herself. And now it’s going to be a yearly thing," said Maggie Chittspattio, also an intervention worker at the Montreal shelter.
The day is an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about Indigenous identity and culture — something Michelle O'soup is also learning. O'Soup, whose mother is a residential school survivor, recalled having her first ribbon skirt at age 27.
"I made it myself. The one I’m wearing is actually gifted to me from an elder … which I’m really grateful for," she said.
Indigenous women wear the traditional regalia to ceremonies or to represent their culture. The fabric and colours on each skirt have meaning.
Watch the video above for the full report by CTV News Montreal's Olivia O'Malley.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.