Indigenous students, faculty & staff are invited for a special Ribbon Skirt Workshop in preparation for National Ribbon Skirt Day on January 4th.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and preserve Indigenous cultures, promote community engagement, and to learn the art and significance of ribbon skirt making. At the end of this workshop, you will have created your own unique and personalized ribbon skirt that you can be proud to wear on National Ribbon Skirt Day. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch.
Please note: Participants will need to provide their own ribbon and materials to make their skirt. A full list of required materials will be provided ahead of the workshop
Workshop Details:
Date: Friday, November 29
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm (a 1 hour lunch break will be scheduled at noon)
Location: Hagey Hall, Costume Department
About Ribbon Skirt Day:
National Ribbon Skirt Day is held every January 4. This day originates with the story of Isabella Kulak, a member of Cote First Nation, who was shamed for wearing her handmade ribbon skirt to a formal wear day at her elementary school. Traditionally worn by First Nations and Métis peoples, ribbon skirts are a meaningful symbol of identity, resilience, and survival for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, and represents a direct connection to Mother Earth. Isabella’s story shines a light on the enduring injustices, racism, and discrimination faced by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada every day, and on the importance of the role we all have to play in reconciliation.
About the Facilitator:
She:kon! Hello! My name is Cara Loft, and I am the Educational Developer for Indigenous Knowledges and Pedagogies at the University of Guelph. I am a proud Mohawk (Kanienkehake) woman from Tyendinaga (Kehn: teke) First Nation who currently resides in Kitchener, ON. I was born in London, ON and grew up in a small farming community called Ilderton, ON. I am also a dog mom to an English Cocker Spaniel named Chloe. In addition to my role as an Educational Developer, I also facilitate community development through arts based programming like: singing, drumming, sewing, photography, and poetry. I completed an Indigi-Orchestral Project in November of 2022 called Ka’shatsténshera: The Power and Unity of Music in partnership with Dr. Kira Omelchenko at Wilfrid Laurier University. My interests are in examining musical cultural practices and their effect on wholistic well-being.
Nia:wen! Thanks! Cara.