News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was issued today by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn:

Today marks the first annual National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada. A federal bill was passed to mark the occasion after Isabella Kulak, a young girl from the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, was shamed for wearing a ribbon skirt at her school.

Ribbon skirts represent an important part of the identity and history of Indigenous women and girls and on this day, we honour these individuals.

I wholeheartedly support the federal bill to recognize Ribbon Skirt Day annually on Jan. 4 and applaud Isabella for her advocacy.

All New Brunswickers should be proud of their heritage, and I encourage everyone to celebrate the diversity of cultures in our province and country.