Stories Woven Through Fabric

Sharon Rigby
September 20 – November 30, 2025
Lower Hall Gallery + Additional Sites | 50 Victoria Street, Aurora

One time, I sat with an Elder and asked him about our Ribbon Skirts. He explained that our people used embellishments like ribbons, coins, and paint to tell stories through our clothing and tools. When creating new garments, they often repurposed old clothing by cutting it into ribbons or strips and attaching them to the new piece, symbolizing the continuation of their journey and honoring the past. Everything our ancestors did, big or small, reflected their stories and respect for tradition. Some families, including mine, have specific patterns that they pass down through generations.  In this way, we keep our stories alive and depend on oral traditions and imagery to preserve our history, teach future generations and honor our Cultural Identity.  

– Story provided by the artist, Sharon Rigby 

In this multi-site project, artist Sharon Rigby uses the medium of ribbon skirts to share the lived experiences of Indigenous individuals impacted by the Sixties Scoop and residential school systems. 

Ribbon skirts hold deep cultural significance for many Indigenous communities across Canada and North America. While their meanings vary between nations, they are recognized as symbols of identity, connection to heritage and the land, and tools for healing. Through her art, Rigby creates a space for truth and reflection, inviting members of her community to share their stories, and in doing so, foster a sense of healing and understanding surrounding the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.  

Stories Woven Through Fabric begins in the Lower Hall Gallery (Level 1, Aurora Cultural Centre) and extends across several locations throughout Aurora Town Square. Visit the Lower Hall Gallery or check back here for a map of the ribbon skirt installations. 

Sharon Rigby (she/her) is an emerging Mohawk/Ojibwe artist from Akwesasne Reserve in Quebec who works in different mediums such as murals, beadwork and traditional dress. She is a self-taught artist, raised in Mississauga, Ontario.  Sharon has a love of all handmade things and local markets. 

Scheduled Programming

Opening Reception + Artist Talk and Tour 

• Saturday, September 27, 12-2pm. Remarks and tour commence at 1pm in Lower Hall Gallery and end in the Performance Hall Lobby (Level 2). Refreshments provided and all welcomed. 

Gift of Resilience / Skirt Gifting Ceremony

• Sunday, November 30, 1-3pm. Ceremony starts in Lower Hall Gallery (Level 1). All welcome.