The Nunavut Pride Society hopes to unite all 25 communities across the territory to ensure all 2SLGBTQI+ people are heard and celebrated…
Last Tuesday, the Iqaluit Library in Nunavut hosted the first meeting of a new organization looking to build 2SLGBTQI+ awareness and advocacy across the territory. The Nunavut Pride Society, founded by transgender activist Delaney Drachenberg and their mother Catherine Lightfoot, is hoping to make a big impact in Canada’s largest region.
In an interview with Nunatsiaq News, Drachenberg said they wanted to unite all of the Prides across Nunavut’s 25 hamlets (municipalities). They hope to establish Pride committees in these communities and host parades, performances and potlucks to promote inclusivity. “Many of them really don’t exist at the moment,” they said in the interview. “But the goal is to unite the communities. The smaller communities deserve to be heard, seen.”
Drachenberg wants to create safe spaces for queer individuals to be themselves freely and authentically. They also want more stories and experiences to be shared by 2SLGBTQI+ people across the territory.
While the organization is still in its infancy it has big plans. Its first order is to officially incorporate itself as a non-profit. It is also working to connect with other communities in Nunavut and across the country.
In a LinkedIn post after the inaugural meeting, Lightfoot described the atmosphere at the library. “So happy to say the first meeting of the soon to be formed Nunavut Pride Society was a huge success,” Lightfoot said. “Thank you to all that came out to add your expertise, enthusiasm and support”
The next official meeting will occur sometime in September.
Who are Delaney Drachenberg and Catherine Lightfoot?
Drachenberg is a young Métis person originally from Manitoba. They have lived in Iqaluit since 2013. They have been involved with social equity work since they were eight years old. Drachenberg has volunteered for various initiatives and organized charity drives.
They have been credited with helping to change the Nunavut Human Rights Act to include gender expression and identity as a protected right in 2017. They’ve also been involved in consultations regarding issues affecting trans and gender diverse youth with the federal government.
Lightfoot is a vocal advocate for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and youth mental health. On her LinkedIn bio she wrote, “Delaney’s courage to live as their authentic self at the age of 15, opened the door for me even more. We advocated the [Government of Nunavut] to change the Human Rights Act to include transgender rights, the Bill was passed in March of 2017, and we were guests in the house for the reading and the passing.“ Lightfoot works at the local RBC in Iqaluit and was given the Global Citizen Award by her employer.
What is the 2SLGBTQI+ community like in Nunavut?
Out of all the provinces and territories in Canada, Nunavut is the largest at over one million square kilometres. It also has the smallest population in Canada with around over 33,000 people.
According to a 2021 census, Statistics Canada reported there were 75 same-gender couples and 20 transgender or non-binary couples in the territory. Its larger communities, Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, host Pride parades and festivities.
Its local 2SLGBTQI+ organization, Positive Space Nunavut, became a registered non-profit in 2019. According to its website, the group provides 2SLGBTQI+ resources to Nunavut schools, and organizes inclusive community initiatives in Iqaluit.
POST A COMMENT