News

Grand Council Treaty #3 and the Office of the Ogichidaa have declared June to be Pride Month in Treaty #3. Pride Month is an opportunity for all to celebrate LGBTQ2S+ people and their contributions to our society. It is also a time to reflect on systemic discrimination and to take part in discussions on how to build a more inclusive society and reintroduce LGBTQ2S+ people into their rightful places within our Nation.

It is especially important this year that we take concrete action to address the struggles of the LGBTQ2S+ citizens in our communities. These past few months have not been easy for our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this is especially true for LGBTQ2S+ residents. LGBTQ2S+ people already experience much higher rates of violence and social isolation throughout society and the pandemic has escalated these problems to new levels.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that all citizens of Treaty #3 take time this month to reflect on how their biases – intentional or not – have contributed to the feelings of powerlessness and despair amongst our fellow citizens. Now is a critical time where we must embrace each and every member of our Nation to ensure that nobody faces these troubling times alone.

LGBTQ2S+ people have made immense contributions to our communities and our Nation. The contributions of these citizens are always extraordinary because of the hurdles placed before them. June will be a month of acknowledging and honouring these contributions and accomplishments to ensure that never again a youth in our communities will feel limited in their ambition because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“On behalf of the leadership and citizens of the Anishinaabe Treaty #3, I call on everyone in the Treaty #3 territory to celebrate Pride Month so that we may build better communities, foster understanding and acceptance, and encourage all of our citizens to reach their full potential. Grand Council Treaty #3 and my office will continually work to break down barriers and ensure a place for everyone within our Nation and our governance structures,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh.

Throughout the month of June, Grand Council Treaty #3 and the Office of the Ogichidaa will partake in many Pride activities throughout Treaty #3 territory and commits to reassessing organizational and governance structures to ensure a more inclusive role for LGBTQ2S+ individuals within the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3.

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For more information:
Dan Morriseau
Political Advisor
Grand Council Treaty #3
PO Box 1720, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7
Phone: (807) 464-2647
Website: www.gct3.ca