STURGIS — The Sturgis Metis Association hosted a two-day workshop on creating and sharing the history of ribbon skirts and shirts. The event was held on March 7 and 8 at the Sturgis READ Club with approximately 25 individuals in attendance.
The ribbon skirt originated from the 18th and 19th centuries, stated a release from the Sturgis Metis.
“They represented strength, resilience, identity, and connection to culture, often telling a unique personalized story. The ribbon skirts emerged from the Great Lakes and the prairie regions as indigenous women began incorporating colourful silk ribbons acquired through trade with the French and British settlers onto clothing. Metis women substituted traditional hide patterns for fabric such as silk, while adding ribbon embellishments. These skirts represent a connection to the Earth and Metis heritage. The design evolved from earlier skin dresses to the gathered ruffles at the bottom mimicking the traditional fringe. They often varied patterns like paisley or polka dots.
The skirts are viewed as a symbol of the Metis people's mixed heritage, representing both Indigenous and European ancestry. They were a way Metis women to express their creativity and identity. They are worn to honor the grandmother's teachings and the connection to the earth.
To this day, ribbon skirts continue to be worn by the Metis people for ceremonies, community events and daily life as well as to celebrate their culture.
National Ribbon Skirt Day is celebrated every Jan.4th in Canada. This day was inspired by Isabella Kulak, a 10-year-old girl of the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan. She was shamed for wearing a traditional ribbon skirt to school in 2020 on formal day, saying it wasn't formal enough.
Common colour meaning in the ribbon skirts
- Red: Represents the earth, blood, and life. sunset and the strength of women.
- Yellow: Symbolizes the sun, dawn, new beginnings and wisdom.
- Black: Signifies wisdom, night sky, the west and sometimes mourning or strength to to to overcome darkness.
- White: Represents the north, winter, purity, spiritual, cleansing energy.
- Blue: Often represents the sky, water or Metis roots.
- Green: Represents Mother Earth, healing, plants, and growth.
There is no right amount of ribbons on a ribbon skirt. It can have as few as one or two or several, often in sets or rows that hold special meaning to the maker. The ribbon can be stacked or spaced of five or more ribbons in a pattern.
