Aputi Arnatuinak stands on top of the flatbed truck during Kuujjuaq’s June 1 pride parade, dancing to the music emanating from the vehicle. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Pride returns to Kuujjuaq with colourful parade
Organizers reaching out to other Quebec organizations for support, with hopes event will continue to grow
Dozens of people showed out in colour and celebration Saturday for Kuujjuaq’s fourth annual Pride parade.
Niivi Snowball greets paradegoers after the walk from the forum to Kuujjuaq city hall, giving them pride flags and stickers. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
“It was a bit smaller than what we did last year,” said organizer Niivi Snowball.
“But we felt it was important to at least have something, because this is our show of hope for queer Inuk youth.”
The parade went from the Kuujjuaq Forum to city hall with a decorated flatbed truck leading the line, followed by around 50 people walking or following in their vehicles.
This is Snowball’s fourth time organizing Kuujjuaq’s Pride event. People have begun to expect it every year, said the musician and activist, and there is much less backlash to it these days.
“Although we still face harsh criticisms, it’s becoming such a big part of the community,” Snowball said.
This year was more difficult to make happen, said Snowball, because the Nunavik Board of Health and Social Services, which usually provides support and funding, declined to take part.
The health board did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“My biggest concern was people thinking, ‘Oh, it’s finally over, they failed,’” said Snowball. “I never want people to think that, because we are never going to fail and we are going to keep fighting no matter what.”
Even though Snowball has graduated high school and intends to move to Montreal soon, the goal is to continue to make Pride grow in Nunavik.
Aputi Arnatuinak makes participants feel included by bringing them onto the flatbed truck to dance and celebrate during the Pride event in Kuujjuaq on June 1. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
There are currently three organizations in Quebec — IndigiQueer, Les Trois Sexes and Fierté Montréal — that have shown interest in helping Nunavik Pride.
“It feels like we’re doing something right,” Snowball said. “We’re getting noticed by all these other organizations.”
The plan for Nunavik Pride is to increase queer education, invite other communities in Nunavik to host Pride events and continue to build support online.
Aputi Arnatuinak was the first person to organize pride in Kuujjuaq. The event started from an idea between Arnatuinak and a friend and grew from there. The first year was all nerves for Arnatuinak, who said it’s much easier to get up on a float and do public speaking now.
“I would never dreamt that we would have continued it, but I am really glad we did,” Arnatuinak said, adding more support from the community and seeing the event continue to grow is the goal.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said in a statement last week that Pride Month is where “we come together to honour the resilient, vibrant, and diverse identities of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.”
“Pride Month is also a time to reflect on the progress we have made toward equality,” Simon said. “To recognize the challenges that remain, and to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a society where everyone is free to be their authentic selves.”
Parents brought their children to the Pride event in Kuujjuaq on June 1, with them participating with their flags. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Still a very difficult subject in smaller towns. Annual parades should offer fly-ins and reduced accommodations for Regional support of out-of-towners🏳️🌈 oldtymers with the church are set in their ways.
Nice to see that the Health Department declined to take part this year. The rainbow propaganda does not belong around children, and it’s sad to see so many kids being used to bolster the “crowd”. Sex is for grown-ups, and northern kids already get exposed too early. The elders are right, these propaganda parades do not belong around the kids.
Oh yeah, if there is one thing we all know, it is that sex is for grown ups. Must be why nobody under 18 gets pregnant here.
That’s the point.
Let’s make more youth ashamed of who they are by sweeping it under the rug, great strategy champ.
Your mentality contributes to young people ending their lives rather than come out.
It has nothing to do with sex, but gender orientation. One of my young relatives is happiest when they are playing dress up. Who tf are you to discourage them? Typical chauvenist male attitudes are so last century.
Hey Righteous Wrongthinker did you ever stop to consider that pride is about self-identity and how one sees themself in the world? The last thing pride is about is sex! How about you drag yourself out of the stone age and join the rest of us!
Don’t forget it’s also aboriginal month and mens mental health month.
Cedric Gallant, great photography. Really nice to see in Nutsy. Keep it up!
lolololololol
Yes Aboriginal Month, Men’s Mental Health Month!!!!!!
Many people do not really care about the Parade nor do not force your life style unto us!!!!!
Okay your here. We Know. We See. We Hear. But don’t push it into us!!!
Congrats.
Considering that dozens showed up, this a a great report and support.
Anti addictions people would for instance love to have that kind of support.
“Although we still face harsh criticisms, it’s becoming such a big part of the community,” Snowball said.
“I never want people to think that, because we are never going to fail and we are going to keep fighting no matter what.” Snowball said
WHAT is the “harsh criticism” that Ms. Snowball references? Also, what is ‘it’ that Ms. Snowball is fighting?