“For a long time, Indigenous people couldn’t be who we are – our culture was banned,” said SPS Native Education coordinator Tamika LaMere, a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “For me personally, ribbon skirts and shirts are a symbol of Indigenous pride, of resiliency, of power. It shows that we are still here.”

This week, about 25 students, school staff and community members gathered at Flett Middle School for a Ribbon Skirt and Shirt making workshop with Spokane Schools Native Education, in preparation for the first ever Pauline Flett Pow Wow on Saturday, May 20, 2023, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

In the later part of the 18th century, European colonizers brought silk ribbons and other items to trade with the Anishinaabe people in the Great Lakes region. The ribbons were used as an appliqué to decorate garments like skirts and shawls, and the craft was adopted by tribes throughout Turtle Island – the name of the North American continent among many Indigenous tribes.

Flett Ribbon Workshop by Spokane Schools

The practice had all but vanished by the early 1900s as the U.S. government separated tribes from their homelands and ways of life, but a resurgence of Native American cultural traditions and activism helped to revive the craft in the 1970s. Today, garments adorned with ribbons are often worn at native cultural events, like pow wows. More information and history about ribbon work can be found at Milwaukee Public Museum.

At this week’s workshop, measurements were taken, then fabric was cut by Anna Eagle Bear, an SPS Multi-Tiered System of Supports specialist who is a member of the Diné tribe. Students, staff, and community volunteers cut ribbons and affixed them with basting adhesive before the fabric was sewn together. Everyone supported one another, whether showing someone how to use a sewing machine or helping to pick out and place ribbons.

“They can choose whatever fabric and colors speak to them as an individual,” Tamika said, as students laid out ribbons across patterned fabric.

The students will have the opportunity to wear their regalia at the inaugural Pauline Flett Pow Wow on Saturday, which is being organized in collaboration with multiple individuals and organizations to honor Pauline Pascal Flett and her legacy; check out this video by KSPS to learn more about Pauline Flett and her lifelong efforts to save the Spokane Salish language:

Flett principal Dr. Matthew Henshaw hopes to expand opportunities for students to connect with Native cultural traditions next year, with more workshops to make regalia and learn songs and dances in preparation for the new tradition at the school.

Students, community make regalia for the first Pauline Flett Powwow