A Saskatchewan First Nation plans to celebrate indigenous sexual diversity with an inaugural Two-Spirited Pride Festival this summer.
On June 9, the Beardy’s and Okemasis Willow Cree First Nation is holding an inaugural Pride Festival to honour and celebrate indigenous individuals who identify as either gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning.
Kevin Seesequasis, the first openly gay councillor with the First Nation, said it’s historic.
“We’re going to be the first in Saskatchewan to openly and proudly say to individuals … ‘It’s OK to be who you are, that our leadership supports you and we are going to celebrate you.’ “
On Tuesday, the band council signed a proclamation supporting Two-Spirited members of the community.
The Pride Festival kicks off with a parade through the community to the band office, which will be followed by a ceremonial flag-raising and barbecue lunch.
You can register for the festival here and find out more about the events on a Facebook page dedicated to the Pride Festival.
The Beardy’s and Okemasis Willow Cree First Nation is 92 kilometres north of Saskatoon.