Canada's first National Ribbon Skirt Day honours Sask. girl's attire

Canada's first day of recognition, set for Jan. 4, pays tribute to an Ojibway (Saulteaux) girl from Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Support came from far and wide for Cote First Nation girl Isabella Kulak, who in December 2020 was shamed at school over her ribbon skirt Photo by Facebook / Judy Pelly

The first official National Ribbon Skirt Day is becoming a reality, honouring a young Saskatchewan girl who was shamed for wearing her ribbon skirt to school.

Bill S-219, An Act Respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day, received royal assent earlier this month and is now enshrined in law. The bill was written in honour of Isabella Kulak, an Ojibway (Saulteaux) girl from Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Kulak, then in Grade 5, wore her ribbon skirt to school in December 2020 when the school held a formal day before Christmas break. She was told by a staff member that her outfit didn’t match and that her skirt wasn’t considered formal.

told by a staff member that her outfit didn’t match and that her skirt wasn’t considered formal.

The staffer compared what Isabella had on to another student wearing a store-bought dress.

The staffer compared what Isabella had on to another student wearing a store-bought dress.

Ribbon skirts are an expression of Indigenous culture marked by arrays of designs, colours and patterns. They are often worn at ceremonies or special events by women or gender-diverse people.

Support came from far and wide for Cote First Nation girl Isabella Kulak, who in December 2020 was shamed at school over her ribbon skirt (Facebook / Judy Pelly)Photo by Facebook / Judy Pelly

The country’s first National Ribbon Skirt Day is set to be celebrated on Jan. 4. It will provide an opportunity for Canadians to educate themselves and recognize the importance of Indigenous traditions and cultures, the federal Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations said in a statement.

The holiday is a way the country can combat racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples by raising awareness and celebrating Indigenous identity, the feds added in the statement.

Chief George Cote of the Cote First Nation called it a “historic day” and applauded the young Kulak for showing great courage and giving hope to the “future of our people.”

Jenica Atwin, the MP who sponsored the bill, told Canada’s National Observer in an earlier interview that she hopes the spirit of the bill will be celebrated daily.

Atwin dreams of a time when all Indigenous peoples can show who they are and feel comfortable in their regalia, moccasins and beaded medallions.

“It wasn’t that long ago that these things were outlawed, that you couldn’t express yourselves,” Atwin said.

“For me, it’s a signal that this reconciliation process is ongoing.”

— Local Journalism Initiative