Pride flags were freshly unfolded for the first time on Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation this week, but not for the last time as councillor Kevin Seeseequasis encourages the reserve to “go gayly forward.”
As a two-spirit man, Seeseequasis is the guiding force of Saskatchewan’s first on-reserve Two-Spirit Pride Festival.
A lively parade on Thursday morning featured rainbows aplenty and candy. Kids lined up for high fives and hugs as the route went past. That excitement left an impression on Chief Richard Gamble.
“It really touches your heart, especially with the kids along the route, you know all these little kids, little toddlers with their signs. You know, that’s where you start the education, that’s where you start the understanding. And we’re going to build on that,” Gamble said.
With two drum songs played during the festival, the event seemlessly blended First Nations culture with the flag raising and parade.
Along with carrying signs, people wore bold outfits. FSIN Vice-Chief Kim Jonathan sewed a rainbow onto her shirt and skirt to further drive home that FSIN supports two-spirit people and wants to be a part of the positive changes on reserve.
Two-spirit woman Savannah Debray’s shirt was a play on words, saying “Straight outta the closet.” She said she’s been supported by family, and has a message for everyone whose eyes were on Beardy’s and Okemasis on Thursday.
“Everyone’s welcome and loved no matter who they are or what they do,” Debray said.
The event also included Canada’s first on-reserve pride flag raising, Seeseequasis told a crowd of more than 50 people.
For Vanessa Moyah, who identifies as transgender, and Moyah’s girlfriend, that was a special moment.
“It was really amazing, it almost made me cry,” Moyah said.
The festival’s spirit of love and inclusion had an impact on at least two different people before the events even kicked off.
Seeseequasis told attendees that a day after announcing the event, he got a call from a band member whose daughter just came out to him. And on Wednesday, he saw a post online by a woman named Angie who was looking forward to the reserve’s first pride parade and her first “as a finally out-of-the-closet gay woman.”
“Seeing this type of demonstration of acceptance, I think it’s beyond words, and it’s an emotional day, it really is. It’s a good day and it’s beautiful to see so many people sharing in that love and support and acceptance,” Seeseequasis said.
That acceptance started when Seeseequasis proposed a band resolution to go ahead with the festival a few weeks ago, Chief and council didn’t hesitate to support it.
Chief Gamble insists that momentum is building, to make sure different departments on Beardy’s and Okemasis, like Health and Education, are inclusive and offer supports to two-spirit people.
Despite the progress being made, Seeseequasis and others acknowledge that the First Nation, much like many communities across Canada, has its struggles.
Drag Queen Giselle Gotti-Chanel was the belle of the ball during the parade, but says it wasn’t always like that.
“Although my family knew my sexual orientation it was never discussed at home because it was something you never talked about. So you don’t speak the phrase, how that goes,” she said.
The Beardy’s and Okemasis-born drag queen has been recognized across Canada and was named Miss Gay Ottawa in 2006. She says things have changed on the reserve since the persona was born. That happened when Daryle Gardipy was in an audience where five people in the audience were dressed up and performed drag numbers.
The only thing he would have changed as far as family support is “I just wish they were by my side as they are today and that’s what I’m very proud of.”
In recent years, Giselle has brought that love of drag back home to hold drag shows in Duck Lake.
After making history, Chief Gamble says they’ve already been getting calls from other First Nations that want to hold their own two-spirit events.
During Seeseequasis’ speech, he read a letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulating the reserve for its efforts and sending his warm wishes.