08/27/2026
This week, the YWCA Banff team came together for a day of learning, unlearning, and connection; hand-sewing our own ribbon skirts as part of our ongoing preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. 🪡✨
Knowledge Keeper, Teresa, taught us that a ribbon skirt is an act of reclaiming. She explained that its full length carries deep meaning, honouring the role and sacredness of women, and that each skirt comes together slowly, through intentional choices with thread and colour.
In many Indigenous cultures, ribbon skirts are a powerful symbol of identity, resilience, strength, and sovereignty. Each skirt tells a unique story, but as we quickly learned: the skirts were the vehicle; the teaching was the point.
What many of us will carry forward isn't just the sewing, but what the day asked of us: to slow down, to wait, to ask before changing something, and to trust that learning takes the time it takes. Working at someone else's pace turned out to be both the most challenging and the most valuable part. 💙
A massive, heartfelt thank-you to Teresa, alongside Arizona, Annette, and Noreen, who guided us with such infinite patience and made it a safe, welcoming place to be a beginner. Thank you also to Cree Nisga’a Clothing for the beautiful, meaningful fabrics sourced for our team.
And a special thank-you to Shane from our People & Culture team for organising this incredible day and bringing us all together for this vital work - which is only just beginning!
Swipe through to see the magic of the day unfold... 🧵🎀
