PARADE MARSHALLS
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2024 Grand Marshals
Barbara Bruce
Charlotte Nolin
“Stands Strong Eagle Woman” Charlotte, a strong and determined Two-Spirit Métis woman, has faced numerous challenges throughout her 73 years of life. She endured the hardships of Indian Day Schools and the infamous 60’s Scoop, emerging as a survivor. Overcoming early struggles with addiction to heroin and experiencing violence at the hands of those who exploited her, Charlotte’s resilience shone through. At the age of 21, she even battled with thoughts of suicide, feeling unwanted by the world.
In her teenage years, Charlotte attempted to transition at 17, but the harsh reality of Canada’s homophobia and transphobia forced her back into the closet to avoid the threat of death. However, she refused to let these setbacks define her. Charlotte ventured into the construction industry and quickly proved herself as a fast learner, eventually becoming a foreman within three years.
At the age of 40, Charlotte embarked on a new career path in social work, finding immense fulfillment in protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves. One particular memory stands out for her – her instrumental role in reuniting a 5-year-old girl with her relatives in The Pas, Manitoba, after being separated in British Columbia.
After enduring two heart attacks within a three-week period in 2020, Charlotte made the decision to retire. Today, she embraces life as her authentic self, having completed her transition in 2017. The turning point came on August 4th, 2015, when she encountered a group of children playing on her way to the corner store. When one of the boys asked if she was a man or a woman, Charlotte confidently responded, “Honey, I may appear masculine on the outside, but inside, I am all woman!” This heartwarming interaction became the highlight of her day, reminding her that if children could accept her for who she truly was, then adults could learn the same lesson.
2024 Youth Marshal
Kristin Pruden
Kristin Pruden, a 12-year-old from Grand Rapids, Manitoba, proudly embraces her identity as Neurodivergent and Two-Spirit. As the Youth Marshal for PRIDE 2024, she stands as a beacon of representation and inclusion. Kristin’s journey into dance began in January 2023, inspired by her auntie Gayle Pruden, a respected Two-Spirit jingle dress dancer. Determined to assert her identity within the powwow community, Kristin’s participation in the 2-spirit powwow at Manito Ahbee marked a significant milestone. Her mission extends beyond personal fulfilment; she actively encourages other youth, especially those wrestling with uncertainty or fear, to join her on the dance floor. Kristin’s message resonates: powwows are spaces of acceptance and learning, welcoming all who are eager to participate and understand Indigenous cultures.
2024 Community Group Marshal
The DEN
The DEN (Diversifying the Enby Network) is a Rainbow Resource Centre group that is a space for non-binary and gender questioning folx to connect with one another in a safe, comfortable & inclusive environment. The DEN meets 3 times a month – once at the Centre, once in the community and once online.
Previous Years
Anita Stallion is in her 25th year of performing drag throughout Canada & The United States. She’s a double crowned Monarch of the Imperial Court of Winnipeg which has allowed her to help raise tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. She’s Club 200’s Matriarch and a proud member of the Bannock Babes.
Alex Appleby has been an outstanding role model for our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In order to create an inclusive space for all students, they advocated for pride flags to be displayed in their school and when met with resistance, they persevered; advocating not just our local small school but for all students throughout our entire school division. They are the primary person for their schools GSA, welcoming to everyone and organizing school wide activities to educate and promote awareness of issues facing 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our community. Alex helps create a safe space for everyone to be themselves, and because of Alex’s efforts and tireless advocacy our school community is a much more welcoming and safer place for all students. Alex is a fierce activist and role model for all our 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Rainbow Resource Centre, Canada’s longest running queer and trans community centre, is celebrating 50 years of 2SLGBTQ+ identity, advocacy, and community. In May, the Centre relocated to 545 Broadway Ave. as construction continues on Place of Pride, a complete queer campus that includes Canada’s first affordable housing for 2SLGBTQ+ older adults, developed in partnership with Westminster Housing Society.
Rainbow provides a spectrum of support for Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Anchored by the Youth Program and Over the Rainbow Program (55+), the Centre offers free short-term counselling, nine volunteer-led social support groups, the Trans ID Clinic, Camp Aurora, classroom and GSA education/outreach, and diversity and inclusion training and consultations for workplaces.
This Pride season, Rainbow has partnered with many local organizations to host events for all ages. Be sure to subscribe and follow Rainbow on Facebook or Instagram, to stay up to date on the many ways to ensure Rainbow continues to support Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQ+ community..
zoma Asagwara is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Addictions Specialist and former member of the Canadian National basketball team and in 2019 made history as the first Black, Queer, Gender Non-Conforming person elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and across Canada.
Uzoma has been a long-time advocate alongside newcomer and refugee communities, two spirit and LGBTQIA+ folks, youth and grassroots organizations.
Uzoma celebrates the voices of Indigenous, Black and people of colour unapologetically taking up space, and encourages youth to be true to themselves, use their voice and be the change they want to see.
They are proud to be the MLA for Union Station, a diverse and eclectic constituency with folks from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
Helping to carve a path for future generations in spaces that traditionally have not been welcoming to Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
The work Uzoma has done and is committed to, is done alongside incredible community members, mentors, advocates and activists who make all of our communities a better place.
Since debuting at the 2005 Winnipeg Pride Parade as ‘Ugly Pridemaids‘, this dynamic bearded drag duo has come a long way! They’ve marched in Winnipeg’s and Toronto’s Pride Parades for 10 consecutive years, bringing their energy and colourful costumes to the streets.
They returned in 2017 to celebrate Winnipeg Pride’s 30th Anniversary and this year they are returning to celebrate Canada Pride! They’ve incorporated everything from Astroturf to kiddie pools into their outfits, which, despite their fabulousness, never conceal their unshaven faces and overall undisguised manhood.
It’s no secret that year after year, many curious people attended Pride just to see what they were wearing!
Launched in 2018, PRISM is an innovative mentoring program designed specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Winnipeg. The first of its kind in Manitoba, the PRISM program matches children and youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ for a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Through regular outings, the match will foster a friendship that is supportive, empowering and fun.
The program has since expanded to include a group mentoring program in which 2SLGBTQ+ youth have a safe and supportive space to discuss and unique experiences queer youth face. Through group activities, facilitated discussions and outings in the community, we have worked to create a comprehensive support system for our gender and sexually diverse youth.
Furthermore PRISM now offers a series of educational workshops with the goal of helping our young people be confident and proud of their identity, help families and guardians understand what their child is experiencing, and to better equip our mentors on how best to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
We’re proud that our PRISM program is managed by staff identifying as 2SLGBTQ+, mobilizing 2SLGBTQ+ volunteers, all to mentor 2SLGBTQ+ youth right here in our city.
Peetanacoot Nenakawekapo (Winnie Sunshine) is Anishinaabe of the Ojibwa Nation from the Wolf clan. She is a Two-Spirit person and a Trans woman from Skownan MB, residing in Winnipeg. She’s proud to have been at the first Winnipeg Gay Pride in 1987 discrimination caused some to attend Pride with a paper bag over their head for fear of judgement and consequence, but Peetanacoot chose to represent without a disguise. Since then Peetanacoot has been in countless marches, parades, rallies to support gays, Indigenous, and women’s rights to say invocations to offer solidarity and sings and drum. Peetanacoot volunteered her time visiting people living with HIV/AIDS in hospitals. Some had no family members to visit HIV patients and they were happy Peetanacoot visit them. At first Peetanacoot was scared of HIV patients but that didn’t stop her from spending time with PHAs. She likes to keep people company and share stories with humor. Also, she continues to visit family and friends and people living with HIV/AIDS who are in the hospital.
Peetanacoot has been living with HIV for over 28 years. She was inspired by her husband Gordon who passed away from HIV-related illness in 1999. Gordon encouraged Peetanacoot to be an active in community-based HIV education and prevention. She continues her work doing speaking about living with HIV. Peetanacoot has been involved in her Indigenous culture over 30 years. Winnie has been participating in and leading Sweat lodge ceremonies, Vision quests and is a Sun dancer. She is proud to have had 18 years dancing in Pow Wows, attending many Two Spirit gatherings was crowned International Two Spirit Princess in 2002 at 14th Annual International Two Spirit gathering. She encourages youth and supporters of Two Spirit people to be part of the gathering. Peetanacoot feels empowered by her community and empowers others by volunteering with people living with HIV for over 30 years.
Locally, Peetanacoot is proud to be involved with numerous local and national Organizations. You might bump into Winnie at places like Nine Circles, Like That Drop in, and Aboriginal Health and Wellness Center. She is a Pipe carrier and a hand drum keeper. Humbly she is recognized as an Elder in the community. Award recipient of Grandmother’s 17th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning. She has adopted 5 daughters and a son who she’s very proud of. She was part of Vision Quest 2 living with HIV making a Medicine bundle. Trans Pulse committee as the Elder of the Research project. She welcomes others be part of the Sharing circles, Healing circles, Pipe ceremonies and feasts to honor all seasons, smudging, Indigenous singing and drumming just to name a few. Peetanacoot conducts Sweat lodge ceremonies welcomes everyone as long as they are accepting and respectful. Peetanacoot does things wholeheartedly and enjoys doing the ceremonies in a good way.
Janelle Campagne is an LGBTQ* activist. She is very proud to represent various communities such as the francophone community, the Métis people and women. Being the president of her GSA group at Collège Louis-Riel, she is a mentor for many younger students in her school community by being a productive leader, showing resilience towards difficulties and always uplifting everyone with her empowering spirit.
Janelle has started various initiatives to educate people about diversity such as public speaking, working with non-profit organizations and being a band member in “Mishiwayitay”. She is passionate and dedicated to providing a voice for those who have words to say but are most of the time not heard.
Brielle Beardy-Linklater is a Two-Spirit, Transgender, Queer woman from the Nisichaweyasihk Cree Nation. She is an advocate for 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous and poor/working class struggles. In 2014, she helped organize the first Pride North of 55 celebrations in Northern Manitoba.
On International Women’s Day 2017 she became the first transwoman to take a seat in Canadian parliament during the Daughter’s of the Vote celebrations. She’s a fighter at heart and follows her traditional knowledge and practices. She is passionate about her politics and believes in taking lessons from history and applying it to our present and future.
Janine is a 17 year old spoken word poet. She enjoys writing about intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA* issues, and environmental sustainability. She is passionate about the arts and the accessible platform they can provide for activism. In her spare time, she is a cabinet member for “Parlement Jeunesse Franco-Manitobain”, a francophone annual parliament simulation that encourages youth to develop an interest in debate and politics. She was also part of the group organizing the “I Have to be Me” GSA gathering. Janine has recently participated in the MARL Human rights film festival, The Rotary Adventure in Human Rights and the It’s Ok to Rant event which was held on International Women’s Day.
Janine has had opportunities to present her poems at school board events, conferences to promote youth leadership and the diversity runway fundraiser for the GSA at Université de Saint-Boniface. She is so honoured to be the Youth Pride Marshall this year. Youth involvement in Pride is vital because it allows us to bring awareness to an otherwise untold history. By coming together we acknowledge how even in times of celebration youth have to be aware of the trailblazing that has taken place and the responsibility that will ensure progress in the future.