Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, when we wear our skirt, it's about everything it represents. People in every indigenous nation wear ribbon skirts. Through the skirt, we are thinking about Joyce Echaquan and our murdered and missing sisters. The four colours of the ribbon represent the colours of the four directions: yellow, red, black and white.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Today, we are in an era of reconciliation. If we want to walk that path, we have to include our customs and traditions, and for women, wearing a ribbon skirt is one of those traditions. Everyone—indigenous youth and women, our grandmothers and grandfathers, the people of Quebec and Canada—should be proud of those customs and traditions in this era of reconciliation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For the next generation, the ribbon skirt represents their pride in their kukums—grandmothers—and in their mothers. It's important to be proud of our strength. In our everyday lives, wearing a ribbon skirt is an expression of who we are as indigenous women and a way of honouring our mothers and grandmothers, who wear it every day.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  [Witness spoke in Innu] [Translation] Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marie‑Josée Wapistan, and I am from the community of Natashquan. Speaking in Innu—

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning. [Witness spoke in Innu] [Translation] I am honoured and proud to be here today. I am from the community of Natashquan, Nutashkuan in Innu. I represent the nine Innu communities that belong to Quebec Native Women Inc. One of the reasons I'm speaking in Innu is to show that our beautiful language is still alive and is an important part of our identity.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  All right. That is what I wanted to say to you today about ribbon skirts. Thank you. [Witness spoke in Innu]

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Can you hear me?