RAVEN'S RIBBONS

A Cree boy longs for a ribbon skirt.

At lively round-dance ceremonies, young Raven and his grandmother sidestep to the “BOOM-BOOM” of the drummers. Raven loves watching the dancers as they swirl by in their ribbon skirts—regalia traditionally worn by Native women of many nations, symbolizing cultural pride and sacred resistance. Grandma sews ribbon skirts, each personally crafted for its wearer. When Raven asks her if a boy could wear one, she responds, “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and have never seen a boy in a ribbon skirt.” The next day, after long hours at her sewing machine, Raven’s grandmother presents the child with a skirt of his own. Readers will be moved as Grandma tells Raven, “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and I’m lucky to see beautiful things that I’ve never seen before.” Her matter-of-fact dialogue is spare, yet each word is steeped in affection for her grandson. Ramirez (Ojibwe), a Two-Spirit elder, brings Raven’s loving community to life through acrylic paintings that evoke a dreamlike warmth. In an author’s note, Spillett (Inninewak/Trinidadian) describes her introduction to round dances and Indigenous activism and expresses gratitude to her Two-Spirit relatives. Simple and tender, this picture book honors Native traditions as it makes space for all members of Indigenous communities to take part.

Weaves Two-Spirit self-expression and collective belonging into a beautiful tribute to Indigenous heritage.