Love out Loud: MMF Locals organize 2026 Pride weekend

June 9, 2026

Winnipeg Region Locals bring community together during culturally rich Pride weekend

_{Red River Métis Youth Ambassadors led the Red River Métis in Winnipeg's 2026 Pride march, including Daniel Kenyon O'Malley (right), Vice-Chairperson of the Two-Spirit Michif Local and volunteer coordinator of the weekend.}

For us, Winnipeg Pride is really about giving that space to our community and showcasing who we are. Watching that sort of unpack and come into manifestation [has] been a vision of all Red River Métis Two-Spirit people. - Elder Albert Beck, Secretary of the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak 2SLGBTQ+ and Allies Local

Your Red River Métis Government took to the hot summer streets to celebrate the diverse and proud 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Red River Métis understand what it means to face adversity for who they are and continue to stand in their identity with pride.

That's why the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak 2SLGBTQ+ and Allies Local, Two-Spirit Michif Local, and Winnipeg North Local came together to host a culturally rich Pride weekend from June 5-7 - inviting members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to celebrate their pride in their identities. The weekend's slogan was "Love out Loud," honouring the two intersecting communities' quality of being outspoken and proud.

Elder Albert Beck, Secretary of the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak 2SLGBTQ+ & Allies Local, was a co-organizer of the weekend. He reflected on the vision that sparked the idea for the jam-packed festivities.

"For us, Winnipeg Pride is really about giving that space to our community and showcasing who we are," said Beck. "Watching that sort of unpack and come into manifestation [has] been a vision of all Red River Métis Two-Spirit people, and I really hope that we are able to see ourselves supporting activities in the Regions for our Two-Spirit folks."

_{2SLGBTQIA+ Elders Barbara Bruce (left) and Charlotte Nolin (centre) are joined by the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (right), as they watch the Kinew Youth Dancers perform a Red River jig.}

The weekend kicked off on Friday, June 5 with the Red River Métis Pride dinner, catered by Bigg Smoak BBQ, and hosted at the President's Pride Hub at the 200 Main Street office - the official Red River Métis hub for all of Pride weekend. The night was full of Red River Métis prizes, food, and music - including performances from the Kinew Youth Dancers and the Brandi Vezina Trio.

Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President, Cabinet members, Red River Métis Citizens, representatives from Trans Manitoba, Rainbow Resource Centre, and Sunshine House, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations of Canada. and Two-Spirit community advocates attended the festivities.

"Many Indigenous cultures recognize the Two-Spirit people carried unique gifts, perspectives, and responsibilities within their communities," said Minister Alty. "Today, we continue that important work of celebrating those teachings and ensuring that everyone feels seen, respected, valued, and safe... every young person in Canada deserves to grow up knowing they belong."

An award ceremony took place recognizing nine individuals and organizations who either demonstrate exceptional advocacy and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, or are prominent members of the Red River Métis 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

_{Two-Spirit Youth Ambassadors visit Louis Riel's gravesite as part of a historical Red River Métis bus tour.}

On Saturday, Citizens went on an inspirational journey filled with Red River Métis cultural activities, starting with a bus tour exploring Winnipeg's historical Red River Métis sites - guided by Louis Riel Institute's bus tours. The group stopped at the President's Pride Hub for lunch, where Citizens gathered to enjoy the musical stylings of Red River Métis fiddler Morgan Grace, and a beading workshop with Red River Métis beader Tamara Cardinal. The day came to a close with a historical boat tour on the Forks waterways.

Daniel Kenyon O'Malley, Vice-Chairperson of the Two-Spirit Michif Local and volunteer coordinator, was one of the Youth Ambassadors for the weekend. Kenyon O'Malley didn't grow up within the Homeland, making the cultural tours that much more significant for him.

"I get to actually see places that maybe today have been built over or developed over and taken over by settler development - but to just see how our presence here from the beginning of our Nation still reflects on how the streets are laid out, what monuments are there, how the river would have played a part in people's lives in different areas," he said.

The Youth Ambassador felt especially connected to touring Red River Métis monuments with his 2SLGBTQIA+ community. "To know the people around you understand your experience and can relate not just to what you're living now, but to how you're connecting to the past," said Kenyon O'Malley.

A breakfast with Youth Ambassadors and Elder Barbara Bruce took place on Sunday morning, bringing generations of Red River Métis 2SLGBTQIA+ members together, which fulfilled the weekend's goal of building bonds between Youth and Elders.

"In our culture, our Elders are the holders of knowledge, and they're also the transmitters of knowledge. And in the Two-Spirit community, that's as endangered as our own language," said Beck. "There's only a few of us - there's not many 2SLGBTQ+ Elders in our community. So, these opportunities allow our community to begin the bridging and knowledge transfer and the teachings that are required."

_{Youth Ambassador River Eyamie carried a Pride flag featuring the iconic Red River Métis infinity symbol, demonstrating the pride shown in both identities.}

Following breakfast, the cohort made their way to Memorial Boulevard to join the rest of the city to participate in Winnipeg's annual Pride march. Led proudly by the "Love out Loud" banner and a Red River Métis jigger, the cohort featured the Red River Métis Marketplace truck playing classic Red River Métis jigging music. Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies marched in pride and solidarity, demonstrating the beauty of inclusion, acceptance, and resilience.

Among those marching with the Red River Métis was River Eyamie, a Youth Ambassador for the weekend.

"I'm always having this burden of explaining to people what it means to be who I am, and no one gets it, but it's so easy to be with community. It's like such a burden lifted that I don't have to explain myself or justify myself. I can just be and be understood," said Eyamie. "I'm just so grateful to have this community around me and to have met so many beautiful people... I always am so shocked at how similar we are and how easy it is to get along because we truly are family."

After the parade, Citizens, family, and friends gathered at the President's Pride Hub to enjoy free lunch, prizes, and entertainment. The weekend came to a close with a final sharing circle and farewell.

The exceptional accomplishments of the Pride weekend organizers, the MMF, and the Winnipeg Region Locals demonstrate what can be achieved when community is at the forefront. Celebrating the bright community that holds both the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Red River Métis together brought a sense of pride to all who attended.

If you missed the Pride weekend festivities, it's not too late to get involved. Visit lmo2sa.com/events-1 to register for the upcoming 2SLGBTQ+ canoe program, a traditional Pride float hosted with Waterways Recreation, taking place on June 13.

 

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