CULTURE AND LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION

Learning Ribbon Garment Crafting in Thunder Bay

For Indigenous Peoples, traditional regalia holds deep cultural significance. Whether worn at family gatherings, communal events, or ceremonies like Pow Wows, these garments are expressions of identity, pride, and ancestry.

Ribbon dresses, shirts, and skirts are particularly iconic in First Nation and Métis cultures, often personalized with meaningful colors and designs. While these garments are widely recognized, the traditional knowledge of how to craft them is at risk of being forgotten.

To address this, the Diocese of Thunder Bay is launching a four-week Indigenous craft workshop focused on creating ribbon dresses, shirts, and skirts. Designed to bring together Indigenous youth and Elders, the program fosters intergenerational connections while preserving cultural knowledge. Twelve participants from the community will learn traditional techniques such as hand-stitching, weaving, and braiding to create their own ribbon garments.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is proud to support this initiative with a grant to cover materials, ribbons, refreshments, venue costs, and honorariums. Workshops like this are vital for cultural restoration, offering participants a hands-on way to engage with their heritage while creating strong, positive connections to their identity.

This ribbon-making workshop is the first of its kind offered by the Diocese of Thunder Bay and represents an important step in preserving traditional crafts. While currently a one-time program, there are plans to expand it into a recurring series, ensuring more community members can participate and learn these valuable skills in the future.

Diocese of Thunder Bay

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