Ribbon Skirt Day, January 4, 2026
There are some mornings when you feel the old ones close.
Not in a way you can explain, but in the way your breath slows when you touch something made with love. In the way memory lives in your hands. In the way the Land seems to recognize you.
Ribbon skirts do that.
They carry a weight that is not heavy — the weight of care, of stories that have survived storms we were never meant to endure.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we talk often about remembering. Remembering who we are beneath the noise of the world. Remembering the languages our bodies already speak. Remembering that healing is not something we achieve — it is something we return to.
A ribbon skirt is a return.
It is the soft sound of fabric brushing against the legs of a little girl who finally sees herself reflected in beauty. It is the steady rhythm of a grandmother sewing late into the night, whispering prayers into every stitch. It is the quiet courage of wearing who you are into places that once told you not to.
Not long ago — in the span of generations, not centuries — Indigenous children were taught that their culture was something to be hidden. That their clothes, their words, their songs were problems to be corrected. And still, our people found ways to keep the threads alive.
Sometimes in secret.
Sometimes in kitchens.
Sometimes only in memory.
Now those threads are visible again.
Today, on Ribbon Skirt Day, you will see colours walking through hallways and grocery stores and classrooms. You will hear the gentle swish of fabric where silence once lived. You will feel something shift — not loudly, but deeply.
Because this isn’t about clothing.
It is about belonging.
A ribbon skirt does not ask permission to exist. It does not need to explain itself. It carries ceremony in its movement. It says: I come from people who knew how to live in balance. I carry the wisdom of women who held families together through loss and love. I am not lost.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we witness how these moments ripple outward. When someone wears their ribbon skirt for the first time, something opens. Shoulders soften. Breath deepens. Tears come without warning — not from sadness, but from recognition.
There you are, the Ancestors seem to say.
And perhaps this is the real teaching of today: that resilience does not always roar. Sometimes it sways gently as you walk. Sometimes it hums under your breath. Sometimes it is simply the courage to be seen as you are.
So today, if you see a ribbon skirt, pause.
Pause for the hands that made it.
Pause for the journeys it has walked.
Pause for the children who will never again be told their beauty is out of place.
And if you are wearing one — know this:
You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
You are wrapped in love that stretches far beyond this moment.
When a ribbon skirt moves, the Ancestors move with it.
The Spirit Bear Song courtesy of the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Virtual Drum Book at Drum Book | ONWA.
Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?
