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 dancers “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.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now in its sixth day. It has been pounding civilian targets in