Campus Regina Public was filled with creativity, pride, and powerful cultural expression as youth from across Saskatchewan gathered on March 27 for the 2026 Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial Competition. This year marked the second inclusion of Ribbon Skirts and Paddle Making, alongside the ongoing Beading competition, which has been part of the program for several years. Each participant demonstrated not only strong technical sewing skills, but also shared stories, teachings, and personal identity carefully woven into every design.
As always, it was no easy task for the judges to select a winner. Every student brought their full effort, dedication, and heart to the competition, showing up with commitment and pride in their work. The level of skill and creativity on display made the decision especially challenging, reflecting just how strong and inspiring this year’s cohort of young makers truly was.
This year’s competition winner, Morgan, captivated judges and audience members with a striking ribbon skirt featuring a striking bear paw appliqué. Her design stood out for its exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful composition, and deep cultural meaning. The bear paw motif reflected a strong sense of identity, serving as a powerful reminder that fashion can be both a creative art form and personal expression of culture and story.
Ribbon skirts hold significant cultural importance for many Indigenous communities. They represent resilience, identity, womanhood, celebration, and connection to culture and tradition. Seeing young makers embrace these teachings while developing technical sewing skills is incredibly powerful. Competitions like this create space for youth to express themselves creatively while honouring cultural practices and stories passed down through generations.
At Soaring Circle, we believe that programs and events like these are about far more than competition alone. They are opportunities for Indigenous youth to build confidence, discover their creative voices, and explore pathways in design, fashion, skilled trades, and the arts. Watching participants proudly showcase their work was a reminder of how creativity can empower young people and strengthen community connections.
We are incredibly proud of every participant who took part in this year’s event. Each ribbon skirt reflected hours of dedication, learning, and heart. The courage to share personal creativity in front of an audience is no small thing, and every youth who stepped onto the runway contributed to an atmosphere filled with encouragement, talent, and cultural pride.
Events like the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincials are only possible because of the many people working behind the scenes to support youth and create meaningful opportunities. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the ribbon skirt committee members, Cree Longjohn, Jenny Ambrose from Soaring Circle, and Emilia Villebrun for their dedication, organization, and support throughout the competition.
Special thanks also go to Candace Longjohn-Constant and Honey Constant-Inglis for their incredible leadership and hard work on the beading competition. Their efforts helped create another important space for youth to showcase traditional skills, artistry, and cultural knowledge. We also want to recognize Brien Morgan and his crew from Clearwater River Dene School in La Loche for their hard work in bringing paddle making to this event, adding another hands-on cultural and artistic experience for youth to explore.
We are also deeply grateful to Becky’s Place in Fort Qu’Appelle. for generously donating all of the kits for the 2026 competition. Contributions like these help remove barriers for youth and ensure participants have access to the materials and resources they need to fully engage in the experience.
The energy, creativity, and community spirit at this year’s competition made it clear that Indigenous youth creativity is thriving. From sewing and beadwork to paddle making and design, young makers continue to carry culture forward in exciting and innovative ways.
Stay tuned as Soaring Circle prepares for the upcoming Skills Canada National Competition 2026 taking place in Toronto on May 28 and 29. We will be part of the Indigenous Skills Showcase and we’re bringing emerging designer Keenan Tsannie from Wollaston Lake to share his story design with youth from across the country. Please stop at our booth to say hello! If you can’t make it in person, there will be some live streaming on YouTube and of course, we will be sharing posts and stories on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Sewcase teachers – if you’re interested in learning more about Skills Canada Competitions, please connect with our Program Coordinator Jenny – who serves on the Ribbon Skirt committee in Saskatchewan.