Nancy Lafleur (Cree8ive Cree-ations)

Nancy Lafleur is a Cree woman who was raised on the northern shores of the Montreal Lake in the small communities of Molanosa and Weyakwin. Nancy’s connection to stories is anchored in the lands she grew up on.  In 2016, Nancy made her first, “ribbon skirt,” and what started as creating one skirt grew to several hundred over the past six years.

Because she lacks the traditional ribbon skirt teachings, Nancy chooses not to call her creations ribbon skirts. Instead, Nancy has taken this form and creates stories on the skirts that can be shared by the wearer. The ribbons on the skirts are pronounced stories of the first peoples of these lands, their traditions, their rich ceremonies, beautiful languages, and their histories.

Seeing the value of sharing stories to not only connect with others, but to educate and bring truth, Nancy has decided to pursue a doctorate degree in her art form. With her research, Nancy hopes to use her Story Skirt art style to empower others to share their own stories as a form of healing and reconciliation.

Nancy’s Story Skirts have shared their stories as far as South Africa, the United States and across Canada.