Winnipeg store aims to fill demand for ribbon skirts and regalia

After noticing a growing demand on social media for ribbon skirts, April Tawipisim decided to fulfila longtime dream by opening a store selling Indigenous wear and jewelry in Winnipeg.

"I go on Facebook and I see a lot of women . . .and men looking for shirts, ribbon skirts. And I just feel like there's a resurgence of our culture, of our people wanting to come back and, you know, be Native again," she said.

Tawipisimis Woodland Cree from Barren Lands First Nation almost 1,000kilometres north of Winnipeg, and has spent most of her life living in northern Manitoba.

On Tuesday, she opened the doors of her store Turtle Woman Indigenous Wear at1116 Portage Ave.,whichsellsfabric, broadcloth for ceremonies, crafts, powwow regalia andribbon skirts.

"The idea was to bring back the culture to our people the children, the young people and even adults like myself," said Tawipisim.

Her mother was a student atSturgeon Landing Indian Residential School inSaskatchewan, and atAssiniboia Indian Residential School in Winnipeg.

She said because of the experience at the schools, her family spent a lot of time atchurch. As an adult,she wanted to know more about her cultural identity.

"I didn't start wearing ribbonskirts until, I don't know, 10years ago," said Tawipism.

"I reclaimed my identity as a Cree woman. I started going to sweats and powwows and learning my culture, and reclaiming my grandfather's name."

In northern Manitoba, Tawipisimworked in management positions, human resources, education counselling and also went to business school.

"I've always wanted to own my own business," said Tawipisim.

She moved to Winnipeg last year and whenCOVID-19 slowed everything down, she worked on her sewing skills and started creating a stock of ribbon skirts, shirts and jingle dresses.

"I thought,now's the time to open the shop here in Winnipegand so I went through the process and everything seemed to fall into place," she said.

Tawipisim chose the name for her business in honour of her late mother, wholoved to collect turtle ornaments.

Her daughter and her sister Marilyn Harris are helpingher keep up with thedemand for ribbon skirts.

"That was her dream to open up a store and I was there beside her to be able to help her in any way I can," said Harris, who is working as a part-time seamstress.