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Manitoulin showing off its Pride this week

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LITTLE CURRENT—For nearly a decade, Manitoulin Pride has celebrated the Island as a safe and inclusive space for everyone. continues that tradition in style—quite literally.

“This year’s Manitoulin Pride Weekend again kicks off with a ,” said organizer Rebecca Milne, allied health manager/human resources officer at Mnaadmodzawin Health Services. “We’re pretty lucky to be able to partner with them again this year.”

Ms. Milne notes that the Manitoulin Pride events are unique in their blending of Indigenous and non-Native culture.

“We want to showcase that Manitoulin is a safe space for our LGBTQ2S-plus community,” she said. “And, obviously, we want to have some fun. We want to get families out there, but we do have adult-only events as well. So, those are always lots of fun for everyone.”

The official launch in Little Current will include the raising of the Pride flag ceremony (6:30 pm at the downtown dock flagpoles near the former Wally’s Dock Service). That will be followed on Tuesday evening by the ever-popular Queer Trivia Night (19-plus) at the Little Current Royal Canadian Legion (15 Vankoughnet Street East) featuring DJ Tom A Haw and Bobby Hudon/Pharoah Moans.

“We kind of have this little blend of Pride and Indigenous culture, all kind of mixed in our schedule,” she said, “We’ve had quite a few people say that this was some of the best Pride weekends they’ve been to, and some because we do have religious content there as well.” The celebration, she notes, is aimed at including “allies” as well as the LGBTQ2S-plus community itself.

“Of course, our big event that we really want to promote is our Pride in the Park concert, that’s down at Low Island in Little Current on Friday night (August 7),” said Ms. Milne. That event runs from 5:30 pm to 10 pm and is always a very well attended, family-friendly event. This year the performers will include Nettish Band, K-Pop Demon Hunters and Chappell Roan and Bruno Mars Tributes.

“Every year it’s getting bigger and better,” said Ms. Milne. “Which is good to see.”

The action continues unabated on Saturday with some new events combining with the more familiar. 

A Medicine Walk with Medicines from the Land runs from 10 am to 12:30 pm at Rainbow Farm North in Manitowaning (16700 Highway 6), a Clothing Swap takes place at Mnaadmodzawin Health Services in Aundeck Omni Kaning (Birch Room, 48A Hillside Road), Beading with Nina Jane also runs at Mnaadmodzawin (in the Round House) from 10 am to 4 pm (registration required).

But it isn’t just the eastern end of the Island that is celebrating Manitoulin Pride, Split Rail Brewery will be featuring live music by Nettish Band, Kelly Brewer and Joan Krygsman (31 Water Street Gore Bay from 1 to 3 pm.

“We’ve had this ‘Express Yourself’ series over the last few years and, previously, it’s been with makeup and stuff. This year, our drag queens are going to take us through Drag 101, so they’re going to kind of teach you how to do your look and maybe help you with your walk and help you with your name and things like that. So, anyone who’s ever been interested in maybe exploring drag, this would be a good opportunity.” Ms. Milne notes that there are only a couple of spots left as it has been filling up quickly.

Intro to Archery with Rainbow Hood runs from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Four Directions Complex in Aundeck Omni Kaning (1300 Highway 540).

Queer Music Bingo at the Anchor Inn (19-plus) is a happening place on Saturday evening as well from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

Saturday’s Drag Show and Dance (19-plus) at the Anchor Inn starts at 9 pm and runs to 1 am, with music by DJ Tom A Haw.

Sunday starts off at 10 am with a Pride Christian Worship Service at the Little Current United Church (5 Robinson Street).
“And then we have our parade and barbecue starting out at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre and ending at Little Current United Church with the barbecue,” said Ms. Milne. 

More information and updates are available on the Pride Manitoulin Facebook page.

“We would like to also promote the fact that next year is the 10-year anniversary of Pride Manitoulin, and so we’re hoping to kind of make that one bigger and better than all the others,” said Ms. Milne. “We’re working towards that.”

People can support the cause by donating this year. “We will have jars out throughout next weekend as well for people to maybe help,” she said.