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.

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 fashion show. 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.

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.”

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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