by Crystal Greene MMNN Contributor
Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey Delivered Over 200 Ribbon Skirt Kits To Schools Across Mi’kma’ki
When Kailey Simon heard that Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey was looking for ribbon skirt workshop facilitators, she offered her sewing talents. Simon learned to sew when she made her own powwow regalia at 14 years old.
“God has been so good to me in giving me all these gifts that I want to share these gifts … I don’t care how much time I have to take out of my life to give back to others,” said Simon who is from Elsipogtog First Nation, N.B..
She is a fourth-year psychology major with a minor in Indigenous studies at Dalhousie University in Kjipuktuk, a Mi’kmaw language TA and has a small business on the side, Sleeping Polar Bear Art.
“When I sew, it’s very healing… it gives a sense of mindfulness, we can’t do anything else except work with our hands … that helps us to process our feelings,” said Simon. “I really love art, I’m really passionate about Indigenous mental health, I try to combine the two as much as I can.”
A simple skirt with basic ribbons takes her about five hours because she wants to be sure that “everything is precise … because it’s such a labour of love to make a ribbon skirt, you want it to look beautiful.”
Simon noted that European contact influenced the use of ribbons and appliqué designs which are sewn onto fabrics.
“Traditional Mi’kmaw ribbon skirts are ver ...
Tags: Ann Sylliboy, Dalhousie University in Kjipuktuk, Elsipogtog First Nation, featured, Kailey Simon, Mawio’mio’kuom, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, Millbrook First Nation, MK, Ribbon Skirt, Ribbonupmk, Rosebud, Sixties Scoop, South Dakota, Tara White Thunder, University of King’s College
