‘It’s not just clothes’: Indigenous women celebrate identity through ceremony dress workshop

She explains how tea dresses are worn as ceremonial clothing during powwows and sweat lodges, while ribbon skirts are casually worn on a day-to-day basis or to events like round dances.

“It’s a very empowering feeling putting them on; it just kind of changes who you are once you put them on. You just have this great feeling,” Moccasin said.

A ribbon skirt made during the workshop. (Image Credit: Candace Moccasin)

“They’re simple to make and they’re beautiful when they’re finished. Our ladies were just so happy and excited that they created something themselves and for their family, too.”

The workshop facilitators helped guide the participants in bringing their dream piece together, whether that’s helping with stitching, or picking out the design.

“It’s really up to the person on what design they want. You’ll feel it when you see the colour, when you see the fabric. It’ll just come to you in a moment. Some people do create their own, like they draw them, and they design them,” Moccasin said.

A tea dress made during the workshop. (Image Credit: Candace Moccasin)

Having young girls participate in the workshop next to their mothers and Elders has empowered them through their own designs and creations.

“I noticed that our young girls that do wear them, they feel beautiful, they feel pretty, they feel close to their ancestral root. It’s just good to keep our tradition alive; we go to ceremonies with these dresses and they are a very important part of our culture,” she added.

These dresses created throughout the workshop will be cherished by the women and their families for years to come.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

‘It’s not just clothes’: Indigenous women celebrate identity through ceremony dress workshop

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