Indigenous People to Occupy Significant Place at Montréal Pride 2017
Montr�al, June 26, 2017 - For the first national edition of Pride Canada, Montr�al Pride will make a special place for Indigenous Peoples participants in its upcoming festivities.
"We believe that, beyond sexual diversity and gender plurality, Pride is about celebrating diversity at large. The presence of Indigenous Peoples will no doubt enrich the event's essence," organizers say according to press notes.
Last fall, Montr�al Pride announced to its partners that the August 20, 2017 Parade will be led by a contingent of Indigenous Peoples. Moreover, a Mohawk elder woman will preside with a traditional prayer and ritual during the inauguration ceremony of the new site, Parc des Faubourgs, which is located on unceded territories of the Kanien'keha:ka (Mohawks). Pow-wow Dancers will also be on hand to share their culture.
The national conference on LGBTTIQA2S human rights will be launched and closed with ceremonies officiated by Indigenous Peoples representatives. This conference will also explore the concept of two-spirits along with workshops on Indigenous Peoples/ LGBTTIQA2S intersectionality. Further announcements along these inclusive lines will follow, such as the unveiling of Grand Marshals.
Canada Pride Montr�al 2017 festivities are inclusive and open to all, whatever their sexual orientation, identity or gender expression, their ethnic origin, their age, race or beliefs. A great deal of effort and care is put into ensuring that the programming will be a reflection of the concern for inclusion and representativeness so that all communities may identify, starting with the Indigenous peoples.
"We must learn from our past mistakes and thus mark a turning point with those difficult events of our history to make sure they are not repeated. At Canada Pride Montr�al 2017, it is our strongest wish and we are taking all the means at our disposal to achieve it," says Montr�al Pride President and founder, �ric Pineault.