The Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation held their second-annual Two-Spirit Pride Parade on Thursday.
“I’m just happy our community is doing this,” Rosanna Seesequasis, an attendee of the parade, said. “Something like this for kids, to be what they want to be.”
Seeseequasis said it was an emotional day for her and her five-year-old son Reese.
“He began trying on high-heels and dresses when he was just two. He would walk around in his auntie’s high-heels,” she said.
On Thursday, the First Nation celebrated Reese for being himself and even made him the grand marshall.
This was the second Pride parade at Beardy’s. The first was held last year, marking the first time in Saskatchewan history a First Nation held a Pride event.
“Growing up on this reserve, it was not easy coming out,” Giselle Gotti-Chanel, an attendee of the parade, said. “I actually didn’t come out to my family when I was here. I moved away to Ottawa and that’s when I found Miss Giselle.”
The theme of this year’s parade was bullying and centered on children, sending them a message that it’s ok to be who you are.
---Based on a report from CTV’s Rachelle Elsiufi
