How wearing a Kokum scarf is supporting Ukraine

Some Indigenous people in northern Ontario are honouring Ukraine by wearing a traditional scarf.

Heidi Manitowabi, an Anishinaabe woman living in Sudbury is one of them. She's been wearing a Kokum scarf. It's a piece of cloth used in powwows by jingle dangers "as a method of prayer while they're dancing." It can also be used as a fashion or statement piece.

"Women wear it on their heads or around their necks," she said.

"The Kokum scarf represents strength, empowerment and resilience among our people."

Manitowabi said the scarf dates back to when Ukrainian immigrants were first settling in Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She said many from the Ukraine settled in the Prairies and developed relationships with local Indigenous and Metis people.

"Through friendship and through influencing each other, trade started happening," she said.

"The Ukrainians would trade their stitch work for the local Indigenous beadwork and vice-versa."

Manitowabi said the stitch work became "influenced by the floral designs of the Indigenous people."

"Thus was born the Kokum scarf as a sign of respect for each other," she said.

Manitowabi said for her, Ukraine is very important as she spent three months there after graduating high school. She said she still has friends in Kyev, who are afraid for their lives.

"This is very, very close to my heart," she said.

"Not only do I have a personal relationship with Ukraine, but I also wanted to make that reminder, have that reminder for our people of our relationship with Ukraine. With everybody who's wearing the Kokum scarf, who uses it for prayer, who uses it for dance, we need to acknowledge and honour where the Kokum scarf had come from, and it's from our Ukrainian friends."

She said when she wears the scarf, she feels a sense of pride

"I'm wearing my Kokum scarf right now and it feels like I'm doing something, like I'm creating awareness and I'm starting a conversation," she said.