Las Vegas, NV — The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada (ITCN), through its Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP), partnered with Eagle Staff Artist Intertribal (Eagle Staff A.I.) a.k.a Changing Spirits, to host a Ribbon Skirt Workshop on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the FVPP Las Vegas Conference Room. The event brought community members together for a day centered on cultural learning, creativity, healing, and awareness of family violence prevention services available throughout Southern Nevada.
The workshop was led by instructors Melissa Pasadena, Northern Cheyenne and Hawaiian, alongside Southern Cheyenne Elder Yvonne Hawk Verjan. Together, they guided participants through the creation of traditional ribbon skirts while fostering a welcoming, supportive space grounded in intertribal traditions.
Many attendees were first-time sewers who approached the sewing machines with a mix of excitement and nervousness. As the day unfolded, laughter, encouragement, and shared problem-solving filled the room. Participants worked side by side, learning through hands-on experience, helping one another through challenges, and gaining confidence stitch by stitch. By the end of the workshop, each participant proudly completed a ribbon skirt—many wearing them out the door with smiles and a sense of accomplishment.
Eagle Staff Artist Intertribal, a Las Vegas–based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Indigenous arts and traditions, welcomed both beginners and experienced sewers. Participants were encouraged to learn at their own pace, share knowledge, and build connections with one another throughout the day.
FVPP, led by Southern Nevada Advocate Tara Perez, played a key role in the workshop’s success by providing new sewing machines, ribbon skirt kits, materials, and supplies at no cost to registered participants. While the program was created to serve Native American communities, FVPP has expanded its services to support individuals and families across the greater Las Vegas area, offering advocacy, education, and access to critical resources.
Throughout the workshop, participants also learned about FVPP services available throughout Southern Nevada, reinforcing ITCN’s commitment to prevention, accessibility, and community well-being.
Eagle Staff Artist Intertribal provided lunch, allowing participants to stay engaged throughout the five-hour workshop. The day concluded with full hearts, finished skirts, and a shared reminder that healing, creativity, and community go hand in hand.
