The Ribbon Skirt

Gr 4-8–Anang, a nonbinary Indigenous 10-year-old, knows exactly who they are—it’s the world around them that struggles to understand. Anang dreams of wearing a ribbon skirt, a traditional garment for Anishinaabe women, at the upcoming powwow. Despite others insisting on seeing them as a boy, Anang embraces their identity as two-spirit—a person who exists beyond the gender binary. With unwavering support from their grandparents, Anang embarks on a journey to gather materials to create the ribbon skirt. What seems like a simple task soon becomes a spiritual adventure, guided by the spirits of animals and even the lake itself. Anang is an endearing protagonist who remains true to themself, even when faced with rejection from a former best friend. Alongside Anang, the narrative features supportive adults, all of whom are Indigenous. Anang may feel different, but by the end of their journey, they realize they are far from alone. This graphic novel tugs at the heartstrings. The story, though simple on the surface, explores deep themes of acceptance, friendship, belonging, and hope. The art features warm oranges and yellows, and moves effectively from realistic to surreal when Anang leaves the real world and enters the spirit world. Additionally, the book offers valuable back matter, including insights on ribbon skirts, the history of powwows, etiquette for non-Indigenous attendees, and more.