Greater Sudbury Police Service unveil new ribbon skirt

It was an emotional scene Monday morning at the Tom Davies Square courtyard as the Greater Sudbury Police Service unveiled its new ribbon skirt.

The skirt is now part of the service's No. 1 dress uniform for sworn members. It can be worn by Indigenous members and allies alike.

The day was marked by smudging, drumming and remarks from the city and Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre.

Mayor Paul Lefebvre said the city is one of the first in the country to make such a move and said it's one more stop towards reconciliation.

"It's emotional because it comes from the community,” Lefebvre said.

“The community (is) looking at this and saying how can we walk down that path together and it's coming up with these ideas and this idea here of being an inclusive workforce when it comes to the Greater Sudbury Police Service.”

It was also a moving moment for the woman who created the ribbon skirt, Robin Wemigwans.

It was an emotional scene Monday morning at the Tom Davies Square courtyard as the Greater Sudbury Police Service unveiled its new ribbon skirt. (Ian Campbell/CTV News)

Wemigwans said the skirt is a connection to the Earth for her. She's hopeful it will become a symbol of strength to show Indigenous women that the police stand with them.

"Well I've been working with the service for about 13, 14 years and it has been a dream since I started because I wanted to have that recognition for Indigenous females to be able to show that they are walking in two worlds,” she said.

“They are honouring themselves and honouring the work they do every day.”

It's just very welcoming that I'm able to express myself at work and to be able to honour my history," said Const. Katrina Pitawanakwat.

“It's just a very good feeling. I'm very proud.”