January 4 Named National Ribbon Skirt Day

Summary#

This Act designates January 4 of every year as National Ribbon Skirt Day across Canada. It recognizes the cultural meaning of ribbon skirts and the role of Indigenous women, as described in the preamble. The operative clause is short and only names the day; it does not add programs, funding, or new legal duties (Clause 2).

• Recognizes January 4 each year as National Ribbon Skirt Day (Clause 2).
• Cites the cultural importance of ribbon skirts and Indigenous women (Preamble).
• Does not create a day off work or school; the Act does not mention a holiday or closures (Clause 2).
• Does not allocate funds, create programs, or add enforcement provisions (Clauses 1–2).
• Aligns the recognition with UNDRIP Article 15 and MMIWG Calls for Justice noted in the preamble (Preamble).

What it means for you#

• Households and individuals:

  • January 4 will be known nationally as National Ribbon Skirt Day each year (Clause 2).
  • No change to daily schedules is required; the Act does not grant time off or mandate activities (Clauses 1–2).

• Workers and students:

  • Workplaces and schools remain open as usual unless your employer or school chooses otherwise; the Act does not require closures or events (Clause 2).

• Employers, schools, and community groups:

  • You may choose to acknowledge the day, but there is no legal requirement to hold programs or observances (Clause 2).

• Federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments:

  • May issue statements or host events at their discretion; the Act does not mandate actions or spending (Clause 2).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No appropriations, fees, or revenue changes appear in the bill text (Clauses 1–2).
• No mandates on federal departments, provinces, territories, or municipalities are included (Clause 2).
• Any communications or event costs would be discretionary; the Act itself does not require spending (Clause 2).
• Fiscal note: Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Recognizes and affirms the dignity and diversity of Indigenous cultures in public information, consistent with UNDRIP Article 15 cited in the preamble (Preamble).
• Responds to Calls for Justice 2.1 and 15.2 of the MMIWG Final Report by encouraging learning and celebration of Indigenous cultures (Preamble).
• Provides a clear, annual date for education and awareness activities without imposing costs or mandates, since the Act only designates a day (Clause 2).
• Honors the cultural meaning of ribbon skirts and the role of Indigenous women, as set out in the preamble (Preamble).

Opponents' View#

• Symbolic-only measure: the Act does not include funding, programs, or policy changes that address material needs (Clause 2).
• Risk of public confusion: some may mistakenly assume it creates a statutory holiday; the Act does not state any closures or paid leave (Clause 2).
• Limited measurable impact: without required actions or resources, outcomes rely on voluntary uptake by institutions and the public (Clause 2).
• Opportunity cost: legislative time on commemorative days may delay bills with direct services or investments; cost-benefit data are unavailable.