The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at http://www.hopeforwellness.ca.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
December 20, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Crown−Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown−Indigenous Relations, announced that Bill S-219, An Act Respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day, received Royal Assent on December 15, 2022, and is now an Act of Parliament
This Bill was passed thanks to the commitment and leadership of Isabella Kulak, her family, Chief George Cote of the Cote First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan, Senator Mary Jane McCallum, and Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, who began advocating for this day after Isabella was shamed for wearing her Ribbon Skirt to school.
Traditionally, Ribbon Skirts are worn in ceremonies or at special events, and are representative of a person's unique diversity and strength. Women, girls and gender diverse people also wear them to express pride and confidence in their Indigenous identity and heritage.
Every year on January 4, National Ribbon Skirt Day will provide an opportunity for everyone in Canada to recognize, learn about, and celebrate the importance of Indigenous traditions and expressions of culture. The Ribbon Skirt is one such tradition.
On National Ribbon Skirt Day, we can learn from Isabella's experience. We can combat racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples by raising awareness of, and celebrating, Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
