Sacred Strength
Indigenous
Ribbon SkirtS
September 1-30, 2024
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts studio
Featuring Sacred Strength Ribbon Skirts
This exhibit is an expression of 20 young high school students journey to share their voices as part of Truth and Reconciliation.
Sacred Strength visits
The Town of Bracebridge
Muskoka Arts and Crafts Gallery
63 Manitoba St. Bracebridge Ontario
May 31- June 23
June 1 Opening reception
June 7 Live ribbon skirt making &
the history of ribbon skirts
Check MAC website for gallery hours
ARTIST STATEMENT
Sewing is becoming a lost art in this world of fast fashion. Most of my students are new to sewing, it is not something they grew up with. If they do know a bit about sewing it is often their grandmother that showed them how to thread a needle or sew on a button. Experiencing this Indigenous teaching on the significance of ribbon skirts, from choosing fabric, cutting, measuring and adding ribbons took time and perseverance. This stretched my students. This caused them to pause and slow down. This allowed for them to make mistakes and to fix them again. These skirts are not sewn by master sewers. They are sewn by teenagers who want to share with you their new learning, their personal experiences, and their new found Indigenous knowledge.
Connie Collins
Fashion Teacher
Huron Heights Secondary School
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Indigenous ribbon skirts are our sacred connection to Mother Earth.
Ribbon skirts tell stories of the past and present. Stories of courage, leadership and resiliency. We are water bearers, life givers and keepers of wisdom. Our skirts restore sacred honour, respect and identity.
It is with humility and love that we share the stories of our skirts.
