Mixed reactions to indigenization of RCMP ceremonial uniforms

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) could soon wear ribbon skirts at special events, after the national police force announced it would be adding traditional skirts to its ceremonial uniform options. But this is not unanimous.

Wednesday, the RCMP pointed out on social media that the new additions are a symbol of resilience, survival, identity and hope. On the indigenous side, while some see this change as a sign of progress, others criticize the decision.

RCMP]who tore us from our homes”,”text”:”I think it’s an insult to our people, because they are the ones [les agents de la GRC] who tore us from our homes”}}”>I think it’s an insult to our people, because they are [les agents de la GRC] who tore us from our homesdeclared Barb Guimond before a march in Winnipeg in support of residential school survivors in The Forks. My family was part of it, my father’s brothers and sisters she added.

Historically, the RCMP played a major role in bringing children from First Nations communities to residential schools, where many of them suffered abuse.

Other participants in Thursday’s march in Winnipeg echoed Mr. Guimond’s sentiments about the adoption by RCMP of the ribbon skirt as an integral part of the ceremonial uniform.

Our ribbon skirt is a symbol that brings us closest to the Creator pointed out Louise Menow, some of whose family members survived the day school.

But when I saw that, I said to myself: “No, you can’t colonize this skirt too. You took everything else and you colonized everything else. You can’t also take our ribbon skirt.” .

Monica Campeau heard about the change in RCMP for the first time on Thursday. According to her, the fact that members of the mounted police wear ribbon skirts can be considered progress.

For me this could be part of reconciliationshe said. You have to start somewhere.

Diane Bousquet, who also participated in Thursday’s march, said she understood the goal of the RCMPbut that wearing the ribbon skirt was an honor that the members of the mounted police had not yet earned.

RCMP has not done so far, in my opinion”,”text”:”I think we need to focus on justice, truth and reconciliation, which is what the RCMP has not done so far , in my opinion”}}”>I think we need to focus on justice, truth and reconciliation, which is what RCMP has not done so far, in my opinionshe said. Until we bridge that gap, I don’t think it’s appropriate.

Use approved in February

In a statement to CBC News, the RCMP said the ribbon skirt was an initiative of its Indigenous Women’s Network, a virtual meeting space for Indigenous women and two-spirit employees of the RCMP created in 2021.

This network aims to advance cultural change within the police force and help restore relationships with indigenous populations and communities, said the RCMP.

Although the change was only officially announced this week, the RCMP approved the wearing of the ribbon skirt as an Aboriginal cultural article of ceremonial and distinction that may be worn by Aboriginal members of the RCMP since February 14, 2024.

The protocols and use of the ribbon skirt were the subject of a extensive internal and external consultation in which various internal groups of the RCMPalumni, as well as other police departments that have already adopted the ribbon skirt, mentions the police force’s press release.

The statement clarifies that approved Indigenous cultural items, which represent honor and distinction, will most often be worn in ceremonial settings, which can range from religious or spiritual services to community events.

Other approved items include the eagle feather for First Nations people who identify as such and the Métis arrow sash for members of the Mounted Police who identify as Métis.

The ribbon skirt of the RCMP includes the colors yellow, red, blue and white, which represent the four directions as well as the colors of the RCMPaccording to the announcement made Wednesday by the Gendarmerie on social media.

The ribbons are adjacent to each other, because they mean that we are all united rather than divided in the four directionsaccording to RCMP.

Based on a text by Travis Golby, CBC News