CANADORE COLLEGE
Sacred Strength, an exhibition of reconciliation, on display at Canadore College

As part of its commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation, Canadore College is hosting a special ribbon skirt installation titled Sacred Strength.

The ribbon skirt is a traditional garment worn by Indigenous women and girls, crafted from vibrant fabrics, and adorned with bright ribbons. These skirts carry deep cultural and symbolic meaning within Indigenous communities. The Sacred Strength exhibit reflects the voices of 20 young high school students from various countries who have come together to contribute to the dialogue surrounding Truth and Reconciliation through their artistic expression.

"They knew their language and they knew their culture so they realized how profound it was to create a skirt that would have that much significance to Indigenous women," said Joyce Jonathan Crone, founder and president of Hope Arises, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization which focuses on Indigenous culture and building community connections. "It was something that they didn't take lightly. Once it started, they knew they were doing something profound; they knew they were doing something that was sacred. It's their expression of reconciliation in action".

"Seeing these beautiful ribbon skirts on display really creates visibility for Indigenous culture and experiences, fostering a deeper connection between the campus community and Indigenous history," said Sarah Julian, Manager of the First Peoples' Centre. "The display acts as a platform for the ongoing dialogue and the importance of honouring Indigenous identity and heritage within academic spaces."

Each seamstress who contributed to the ribbon skirt installation included a personal reflection on their experience working on the project.

In addition to the skirts, visitors will also see orange ribbons displayed bearing the names and dates of children who tragically lost their lives in residential schools. These ribbons serve as a poignant reminder of the history and legacy of the residential school system, further deepening the message of Truth and Reconciliation.

"It's a way to heighten awareness for non-Indigenous people of the healing process, the healing journey that needs to happen," said Jonathan Crone. "It means more than just wearing an orange shirt for one day or saying a land acknowledgement. It's an actual act that people can do. Hope Arises wants us to remember the children who are still waiting."

Participants will be encouraged to find the name of a residential school survivor, write their name and date on the orange ribbon, and hang it in a tree.

The community is invited to experience Sacred Strength in The Village from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., until October 31.