National Indigenous People's Day celebrations are taking place across the country.
In North Bay, as part of celebrations, the city’s Indigenous friendship centre held a ribbon skirt and shirt fashion show to show off designs.
Claps poured in for First Nations men and women wearing traditional ribbon skirts and shirts celebrating their culture.
"It's part of your teachings and we wear our regalia for the ceremony," said participant Nikiyah Mulak-Dunn.
More than 20 participants took a walk with their regalia on showing their designs. The ribbon shirts, skirts and dresses are often worn during traditional ceremonies like powwows.
"I find that it's for respect, honour, for our ancestors and for the children that didn't make it home,” said participant Mary Morneau.
The skirts and shirts symbolize something different for each individual. For example, love for family, culture or tradition. They are sewn by hand and can take anywhere from an hour to even a full day to make.
"It is a learning process and I actually learned it here through elders,” said Morneau.
"My family was part of the residential school system,” said Mulak-Dunn.
“My grandmother, she wasn't able to wear her clothes or even speak her language."
Mulak-Dunn is also passing ribbon dress teachings to her daughter Zionnah.
"Back in time, people wouldn't be allowed to wear them or go to powwows and just wearing them makes me happy," Zionnah said.
Wearers said the garment also represents immense pride in their heritage.
"It gives us honour to wear them,” said Morneau.
