First National Ribbon Skirt Day instills ‘sense of pride’ in two-spirit powwow dancer
, 2023-01-04 05:00:37,
Terrence Gardner will wear his ribbon skirt on the first national day celebrating the indigenous garment that has become a symbol of pride.
The 29-year-old, who has two spirits, has been sewing and designing ribbon-embellished floor-length skirts for more than 10 years.
Gardner, whose pronouns are he and they, says the skirt is an expression of who they are and that he feels comfortable in himself.
“It’s representation and it shows these young people…wearing ribbon skirts means you’re proud of yourself and you love yourself,” Gardner said.
“That sense of pride that shows you can be indigenous and two spirit and feminine and that’s okay, that’s who you are and that’s sacred.”
Wednesday, January 4, was named the first National Ribbon Skirt Day after the passage of national bill S-219.
The bill originated two years ago, when a girl named Isabella Kulak was shamed for wearing her ribbon skirt to school because, according to an educational assistant, It didn’t match the theme of the formal day.
After the incident, #Isupportbella began trending on social media, with indigenous people from around the world posting photos of themselves in their ribbon skirts to show their support.
Gardner, who is Mi’kmaq, Cree and Blackfoot, will wear a beaded skirt to support Isabella and break stereotypes.
He’s also a powwow dancer, specifically, a jingle dress…
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