In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the University of Nevada, Reno’s Office of Indigenous Relations and the Multicultural Center’s Indigenous Student Services program will hold “Ribbon Skirts/Shirts” on Nov. 16 in the DeLaMare Library. During the event, attendees will learn to make ribbon skirts and shirts, which are articles of clothing that tell the story of the adaptation and survival of Indigenous communities.
Ribbon skirts and shirts are worn by Native American people of many tribes and traditions. They are a symbol of identity, resilience and survival that connects the wearer to culture and kinship. Each article of clothing is unique to the wearer.
“Native American Heritage Month is a great time to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our Native people and communities,” Daphne Emm - Hooper, director of Indigenous relations, said. “It is also a time to reflect on our history, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors and to pave the path for our future generations.”
This year’s workshop is held in collaboration with the University Libraries, which will provide use of the library as well as sewing machines to create the articles of clothing. In 2022, “Ribbon Skirts/Shirts” was organized by University students in the Multicultural Center and the Indigenous Student Social Club.
The event is one of several hosted by the University in celebration of Native American Heritage month during November.
