Waywayseecappo hosts first Pride Parade

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This article was published 28/06/2021 (1577 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WAYWAYSEECAPPO FIRST NATION — Dozens of people of all ages turned out Saturday to either join or cheer on Waywayseecappo First Nation’s first-ever Pride Parade.

The event was organized by newly elected Coun. Laura Brandon as a means of reinforcing feelings of inclusivity within the community.

“We have a fair number of LGBTQ+ in our community, and I wanted to show them support, where they feel comfortable being themselves in their community,” she said.

She drew inspiration from a relative who is gay and a friend from Ontario who tried to host a Pride parade at his home First Nation and found himself the only person to turn out.

This was far from the case at Waywayseecappo, where kids excitedly raced to pick up candy thrown from floats and supporters lined the community’s business centre in vehicles to watch the parade move past.

After a loop past the business centre and back around down Highway 45, participants were scheduled to gather for a few contests at the powwow grounds.

Although the majority of participants were from Waywayseecappo, a few Indigenous drag queens from Winnipeg showed up to add their enthusiasm to the festivities.

Weighing heavily on the hearts of participants were two people who could not be there.

Leslie Longclaws died in 2011 and Desmond Brandon died last year, but friends and family members carried their memories forward during Saturday’s parade by participating in their honour.

Carrying a photo of her brother, Longclaws’ sister, Verna Wilson, said the parade has been a long time coming.

“He wanted a parade like this a long time ago, and it’s happening today,” she said. “I kind of had tears this morning, but just happy tears for him, and I’m glad it’s happening.”

Desmond’s mother, Priscilla Kronen, said her son died in Edmonton in November shortly after contracting COVID-19.

He’d taken her to a Pride parade in Edmonton several years ago and had always wanted to see one hosted in his home community.

“He probably would have been here,” she said, decked out in images of her son and wearing a pin featuring a rainbow flag and Desmond’s name.

“He would have loved it. He was an outgoing person, very talkative and loved meeting people — loved his family, loved his friends.

“I’m proud that is happening, finally, that it’s being recognized, where before it wasn’t recognized here,” she said, adding the parade sends a clear message that the LGBTQ+ community is welcome.

“I had no problem with him at all, I just loved him. He was Dez — he was my son. Whether he was straight or not, I always told him ‘You’re my son, I’d never be ashamed’ … and I never was.”

Although upset her brother wasn’t there to join in the day’s festivities, Desmond’s sister, Natalie Spence, said she was happy her brother was able to be himself and participate in similar events in Edmonton.

“I’m proud this is happening,” she said, adding she hopes this becomes an annual tradition at Waywayseecappo. “Everyone should be proud of who they are.”

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB