’Aunties’ teach Kahnawà:ke teens how to sew their own ribbon skirts

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A group of 13-year-old girls in Kahnawà:ke are learning how to use a sewing machine by making their own ribbon skirts.

It's a part of a five-week class called Auntie's Ribbon Skirt Making, geared toward teens in the Kanien'kehá:ka community south of Montreal.

I wanted to take this class because seeing people walk around with gorgeous ribbon skirts, shirts and dresses is nice and I want to have the opportunity to make one for myself, said Ken'niwa'kera:sa Laila McComber, a Grade 7 student.

Her mom, Corleigh Beauvais, is one of the aunties teaching the class.

I've been excited for her to turn 13, to be able to come here and learn. It's really fun to watch her, said Beauvais.

She's had some difficult moments but it's so beautiful to know that at the end of this that she'll be able to wear it.

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Incorporating Kanien'kehá:ka teachings

Lisa Two-Axe is another one of the aunties teaching the class. She taught Beauvais and the rest of her team at Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia'takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) how to sew — and now they're teaching youth.

Close to 50 teenagers have made skirts through the classes, which take place twice a year, during the community's cultural awareness month in April and spirit of wellness month in November.

For me, it's rewarding, said Two-Axe, a team leader of primary prevention at KSCS.

"There was one young girl who, after she finished, she got a sewing machine for Christmas. The feedback I got from the parent, she was making ribbon skirts for her family the next day,"

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The classes are a way to connect with youth and incorporate Kanien'kehá:ka culture and teachings into the organization's family violence and addictions prevention work.

We're not only here teaching them how to sew. We're teaching them these important life skills and we're talking about important issues, too, said Beauvais.

We're going to have a conversation about healthy relationships or bullying…. There's a lot of relationship building with our younger generation.

During the third week, the teens were sewing three rows of ribbons onto their fabric.

Kahentinétha Payton Kirby, a Grade 8 student, said the experience so far has given her a newfound appreciation for local fashion designers. 

I learned how to use a sewing machine and how designers put a lot of effort into doing the work, said Kirby.

We got to pick out our materials, that was a little struggle. I didn't know which colours I wanted. And then using the machine, I was scared I was going to take my finger off.

The girls will learn to sew a seam and waistband next before finishing their skirts in two weeks.