A unique holiday in Canada that symbolizes national pride

A unique holiday in Canada that symbolizes national pride

January 4 is National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada, which was passed in Parliament last year.

Senator of Manitoba Mary Jane McCallum proposed in 2021 that the 4 of January be recognized as a special day to honour Native Canadians. In 2022, the bill was passed.

It was inspired by the story of Isabella Kulak, who lived in the province of Saskatchewan. The girl wore colourful clothes to school.

A special skirt with a ribbon and bright clothes was the national costume of the indigenous peoples of Canada, which women wore on holidays. The school called it informal and inappropriate.

The reaction of the school administration sparked a protest and an online movement of indigenous women. They wore national outfits, posted on social media, and demonstrated: this is their identity, their memory, and their pride.

The school eventually had to apologize and even agreed to hold a "ribbon skirt day." Isabella Kulak's family said they were proud of who they were, and the ribbon skirt was a symbol.

Isabella Kulak represents the Cote nation. And the skirt she wears, the girl sewed herself.

According to indigenous cultural traditions, they wear brightly coloured ribbon skirts on holidays or special occasions. Each skirt is unique and reflects the personality of its owner.

Each person has his history, traditions and customs. And it is important to remember it. That is why the immigrants feel good in Canada because they are sure that there is no discrimination based on nationality. And all cases of such situations will be solved even at the federal level.

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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  • #life in Canada
  • #aboriginal people in Canada
  • #Canadian holidays
  • #Canada's national holidays
  • #Canadian laws
  • #immigration to Canada 2023