January 28, 2026 – Maniwaki, Quebec
At Zibi Made, every ribbon skirt tells a story; one of resilience, pride, and the living beauty of Indigenous culture. Carefully handmade and rich with meaning, the ribbon skirts available in our shop honour generations of knowledge while celebrating self-expression today. Designed for adults in a variety of colours and styles, and with one special style available in children’s sizing, these handmade skirts are made to be worn, cherished, and passed forward.
Ribbon skirts are traditional garments worn by Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, carrying deep cultural significance. Their origins trace back to the 18th century, when Indigenous communities across the Great Lakes region adapted new trade materials, such as silk ribbons introduced through European contact, into existing clothing traditions. What emerged was not a loss of culture, but a powerful act of creativity and adaptation. Ribbonwork flourished through the 19th century across Great Lakes, Prairie, and Plains Nations, becoming both an artistic practice and a form of cultural expression.
The colours and designs found in ribbon skirts are never random. Bright hues often represent the four directions: yellow, red, blue, and white, or elements of the natural world like the earth, sky, and water. Each skirt reflects the maker’s vision, teachings, and connection to community, making every piece deeply personal and completely unique.
Despite facing generations of colonial restriction, where Indigenous languages, ceremonies, and traditional clothing were actively discouraged or outlawed, ribbon skirts endured. They became, and remain, a powerful symbol of resistance and survival. Wearing a ribbon skirt is an act of pride, a visible reclaiming of identity, and a reminder that Indigenous cultures are not only still here, but thriving.
That meaning continues today. In Canada, January 4 is recognized as National Ribbon Skirt Day, following a 2020 incident where a young Ojibway girl, Isabella Kulak, was shamed for wearing her handmade ribbon skirt to school. The response from Indigenous communities and allies transformed that moment into one of collective strength and education, reinforcing the skirt’s place as a symbol of dignity, culture, and belonging.
The ribbon skirts offered at Zibi Made are part of this living tradition. Handmade by Indigenous makers with care and intention, they are designed to move with you; whether worn at ceremonies, powwows, celebrations, or in everyday life. These skirts are not costumes or trends; they are expressions of culture, love, and continuity.
We invite you to explore the collection and learn more through the work of the artists who create them.
View the ribbon skirts now at: https://zibimade.com/product-category/clothing/
Wearing a ribbon skirt is more than putting on a garment… It’s wearing history, resilience, and Indigenous pride, stitched together with purpose.