
Pride and power in place
Gena Boubard is checking off a lot of firsts this year.
The Anishinaabe makeup artist is the first two-spirit contestant to compete in Miss Indigenous Canada and the organizer of the first-ever Pride celebration in Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation.
Boubard, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, lives in Winnipeg and spends a lot of time visiting family in their home community, which is situated along the Winnipeg River 120 kilometres northeast of the city.
SUPPLIED
Gena Boubard hopes more First Nations host their own celebrations.
SUPPLIED
Gena Boubard hopes more First Nations host their own celebrations.
Putting on a Pride event, which takes place Saturday, , June 7, has been a way to give back and empower LGBTTQ+ youth living in Sagkeeng; however, being the first came with some trepidation.
'I had so much fear around what people would think or say or how they would view me and I've received nothing but positive feedback. There's a lot more support than I could have ever imagined,' Boubard, 24, says.
Saturday's Pride celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. with a parade beginning at the 'Welcome to Sagkeeng' sign featuring a local drum group and entertainment by drag performers, DJ Kaptain and the Bannock Babes.
The parade will be followed by a two-spirit powwow, community feast and fireworks. There will be a craft market and speakers throughout the day, including Amazing Race Canada winners Anthony Johnson and James Makokis. The event is family-friendly and drug/alcohol-free.
Event preview
● Fort Alexander, Saturday
● June 7
11 a.m. — parade
● 1:30 p.m. — two-spirit powwow and market
● 5 p.m. — community feast
● 10 p.m. — fireworks
This is Boubard's first time organizing an event of this scale.
'I'm learning a lot very quickly. I'm overwhelmed, but in the best way. It's been really exciting getting things together and shopping and planning all the fun stuff for the day,' Boubard says.
The event is open to the public and Boubard expects attendees from nearby communities and across the province, including Sagkeeng members living off-reserve and representatives from Eastman Pride, which helps co-ordinate Pride activities in eastern Manitoba.
'It really fills my heart and it actually makes me emotional and really proud of my community that so many people are stepping up to support and be involved,' Boubard says, adding the call for volunteers has been met with enthusiasm.
'I'm hoping (attendees) see just how large the two-spirit community is and how much it's really needed right now in the face of the homophobia and transphobia we're seeing throughout North America. And I'm hoping this sparks conversations within Indigenous families in regards to how we view gender identity and sexuality.'
LORI PENNER / THE CARILLON
Presenters and performers at last year's Pembina Valley Pride March and Rally
LORI PENNER / THE CARILLON
Presenters and performers at last year's Pembina Valley Pride March and Rally
Boubard is already looking forward to next year's Sagkeeng Pride event and wants to see more local First Nations hosting their own celebrations.
Discussions are also underway for year-round LGBTTQ+ programming in Sagkeeng.
Boubard has been competing in beauty pageants for nearly a decade and says the events have been good training for their current advocacy work.
'It's been a beautiful experience. I've learned a lot of confidence, leadership skills, how to be involved in my community, how to use my voice,' says the Miss Southern Manitoba World title-holder and former Miss World Canada contestant.
Miss Indigenous Canada is now in its second year with the 2025 winner set to be crowned in July at a pageant in Six Nations, Ont. Jessica McKenzie, representing Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, was the contest's inaugural winner.
eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com
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Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Republican lawmakers rip Sesame Street for Pride post
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Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'On our street, everyone is welcome,' the long-running children's show wrote Sunday on X. 'Together, let's build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth!' The post included an illustration featuring the arms of Sesame Street characters holding hands and arranged in a rainbow of colours. It went viral and had been viewed more than 25 million times as of Wednesday afternoon. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Republicans criticized the post for being 'woke' and called for the public broadcaster to be defunded. 'PBS is shamelessly grooming our children while collecting taxpayer dollars,' Congresswoman Mary Miller of Illinois wrote Monday. 'This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America. DEFUND!' PBS is shamelessly grooming our children while collecting taxpayer dollars. This is evil and should infuriate every parent in America. DEFUND!! — Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) June 2, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a subsequent post Tuesday, Miller reiterated her call for the cancellation of funds going to PBS and NPR. 'The woke mob is coming for our kids, and they're using taxpayer dollars to do it,' she wrote. 'President (Donald) Trump's rescissions package to defund PBS, NPR, and USAID must be brought to the floor for a vote this week. It cannot wait!' 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12 hours ago
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CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
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