On January 4, we honour National Ribbon Skirt Day, a day that celebrates the strength, resilience, and cultural identity of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Ribbon skirts are more than garments—they are powerful expressions of culture, history, and belonging.
Ribbon Skirt Day was created in response to the experience of 10-year-old Isabella Kulak, a member of the Cote First Nation, who wore her ribbon skirt to her school’s “formal day” in 2020. She was told her the skirt was “not formal,” causing her to feel singled out and ashamed. Indigenous communities across Turtle Island responded with love, pride, and solidarity; women, girls, and allies wore their ribbon skirts publicly to affirm that Indigenous culture is formal, is sacred, and belongs in every space.
This movement led to the federal recognition of January 4 as National Ribbon Skirt Day, first observed in 2023.
From 1885 to 1951, the Canadian government enforced the Potlatch Ban, which made it illegal for Indigenous Peoples to hold ceremonies, dances, gatherings, or wear traditional regalia, like ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts and any cultural clothing or ceremonial items connected to identity. For generations, Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit people and communities were punished for wearing the clothing that expressed their culture, teachings, and connection to the land. Despite these laws, families protected, hid, and quietly passed down cultural practices, ensuring these survived.
Today, Ribbon Skirts are not only garments, they are symbols of resilience, survival, and cultural reclamation.
Ribbon Skirt Day celebrates the strength, resilience, identity, and lived experiences of Indigenous people. It honours the history of cultural prohibitions and recognizes the importance of Indigenous visibility in all spaces, including workplaces. Wearing ribbon skirts and regalia today—openly and proudly—is an act of reclaiming identity in solidarity that was once outlawed.
Our union is proud to stand in solidarity with Indigenous members as we honour Ribbon Skirt Day. We recognize the significance of this day and reaffirm our commitment to respect, inclusion, and reconciliation. By learning, listening, and celebrating together, we help ensure Indigenous cultures continue to thrive—openly, proudly, and without apology.
