June 27th, 2020
BIMAADZWIN, INC PO Box 192 – 511 Highway 17 Serpent River, ON P0P 1B0
Happy Pride Day! June is celebrated around the world as a month to recognize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two spirit, queer, and questioning members of our communities – and to celebrate their presence, their contributions, and the diverse colours they bring to our communities. Canada is known for being one of the most open and welcoming countries in the world for the LGBTQ2S+ community – however, this is only true because of the hard work and dedication of those LGBTQ2S+ members of our society, and the ally-ship of straight and cisgender Canadians across the country.
Gerrit Wesselink
First Nations have long traditions of supporting and recognizing sexual and gender diversity within our communities. Many nations had specific words or titles that were assigned to those individuals with different identities. Some languages incorporated not just the male and female genders, but a third, and sometimes even a fourth gender form. Some cultures put an extreme amount of responsibility and respect on these individuals, recognizing that their ability to be both men and women, or neither, brought them closer to the spirits of land and of their ancestors. The modern term Two-Spirit was created at an international indigenous LBGTQ conference in Winnipeg in 1990 – despite being an English word – it’s meant to carry the traditional meanings of the many terms in indigenous languages for culturally-specific roles that are confirmed by the community. Bimaadzwin recognizes that we have come a long way over the last few decades – but there is still a long way to go. The COVID-19 quarantine has been challenging for everyone, but particularly for queer people – who already face barriers in accessing quality health care, and who often lack the safety net of a family home. These barriers can be even more challenging for First Nations LGBTQ2S+ individuals – who face even more systematic barriers to reach services tailored to their needs. The Federal Government must invest time, effort, and resources into developing policies that support and respect First Nations, no matter where they are on the sexual orientation or gender identity spectrums. This can include additional funding to retrofit gender-neutral washrooms in First Nation government offices; funding to purchase some of the awesome school-aged resources written by queer and two spirit indigenous authors; and providing funding and training opportunities for northern and remote healthcare workers to be able to better serve trans and/or two spirit patients with respect, understanding, and accurate information.
Wiindawtegowinini, Isadore Day who is the founder and CEO of Bimaadzwin adds, “a vital element crucial to the advancement of Indigenous Nationhood is for us to realize our own strength, diversity and power in elevating LGBTQ2S+ citizens families and communities. Bimaadzwin celebrates #WorldPrideDay2020, hopeful for greater heights in honouring and respecting all of our people in making the world a better place to thrive.” This year – First Nations have been celebrating Pride Month all over the country – some for the very first time. Samson Cree Nation in Alberta painted a rainbow crosswalk outside of the Band Office; and the Grand Council of Treaty #3 in Northwestern Ontario declared June 2020 to be Pride Month for the very first time in its history, in response to a municipality on their territory refusing to fly the flag. It’s the as a result of the leadership from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, and questioning First Nations who’ve taken positions of leadership, and who continue to champion for their rights – that Canada is as open as it is today – and why everyone still comes together to celebrate Pride, no matter gay, straight, or somewhere in between. It’s people like Dr. James Makokis, a two spirit doctor from Alberta who is singlehandedly transforming the mainstream healthcare system’s approach to serving transgender patients. It’s artists like Margaret August from British Columbia whose Coast Salish interpretation of CBC’s logo represented them for all of Pride Month; or Cris Derksen, a Juno-nominated cellist and composer from Northern Alberta, who is bringing their music to audiences across Canada for the ‘digital queer cabaret’. It’s our Elders and our leaders – like Ma-Nee Chacaby, author of ‘A Two-Spirit Journey’ and the Grand Marshall of Thunder Bay’s first ever Pride Parade in 2011; or Linda Brass, who volunteered to love and support any LGBTQ2S+ youth who walked into the doors of the Diamond Willow Youth Lodge in Calgary. Today, Bimaadzwin recognizes the contributions and the presence of the LGBTQ2S+ members of our communities – and recognizes that we all have an important role to play as allies. It is by standing together that we move forward. Happy Pride Everyone!
Gerrit Wesselink Senior Policy Advisor, Bimaadzwin Inc.