Karen Dowan

Karen Dowan, ribbon skirts, Apparel & Clothing, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

Karen Dowan

Karen Dowan

Dakota Cree

My name is Karen Dowan, I am a Dakota Cree winyan / iskwew who designs finely-crafted ribbon skirts and accessories. I started my business “Ribbons and Roots” in 2020. The name reflects the deep connection many of us rediscover as we honour our roots; our ancestors and where we come from.

Karen Dowan, ribbon skirts, Apparel & Clothing, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

I am a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Treaty 1 and God’s Lake Narrows Cree First Nation in Treaty 5. I grew up in Winnipeg and made Ontario my home. Through my work, I craft ribbons skirts that celebrate Indigenous creative art and expression through contemporary designs.

“To me, a ribbon skirt is a celebration of who we are as Indigenous women and it is a reflection of our nationhood. When we wear our skirts, we show who we are; vibrant, strong, resilient, and beautiful! We empower ourselves to continue to restore our rightful and sacred place in the circle.”

Membership Identification Status