Today, Minister Lucy Kuptana issued the following statement for Pride Month:

“June is Pride Month, which is an opportunity to honour our vibrant 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. This is a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and lived experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual plus people across our territory. 

The Government of Northwest Territories’ is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all residents, including gender-diverse individuals. This commitment is grounded in respect, understanding, and partnership, and I am pleased to advance this work as the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Pride Month is a time to recognize and appreciate the wide spectrum of identities within 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, and demonstrate that the Northwest Territories is a place where people are free to love, express who they are, and celebrate the diversity NWT people and communities.

Pride Month is not only a celebration but also a solemn reminder of the responsibility we carry to tackle the injustices faced by 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The GNWT remains committed to advancing this work through multi-sectoral initiatives addressing family violence, gender-based violence, and other critical social issues intersecting with the lives of 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Pride is a vital part of this health and wellness journey toward equity and reconciliation. 

While the Northwest Territories has built a strong foundation of inclusion and respect—and this is something we can take pride in—we must also recognize that no jurisdiction is immune to discrimination. Across society, 2SLGBTQQIA+ continue to encounter mistreatment and harassment in workplaces, institutions and communities. In the Northwest Territories we must remain attentive and continue working to ensure all 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are treated with fairness, equity and respect, to foster Territory this is free of discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization. 

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to defending the rights of 2SLGBTQQIA+ residents, supporting efforts to address intolerance, and promoting equality for all. This work begins with our own public service by ensuring that the GNWT’s workplace culture continues to celebrate and uphold inclusion. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is both physically and emotionally safe for all GNWT employees and the residents we serve. The 2SLGBTQQIA+ 101 Inclusive Workplace Training provides employees with the necessary knowledge and tools to recognize key terms associated with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, identify and apply respectful behaviour and to support co-workers and clients.

This work also requires us to ensure that all public servants are equipped to understand the needs of residents in ways that reflect the diversity of the Northwest Territories. Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) training provides employees with the analytical process used to assess how different women, men, and gender diverse people experience policies, programs, and initiatives.

Through the implementation of the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence funding, the GNWT continues to strengthen the capacity 2SLGBTQQIA+ community organizations by providing operational funding and contributions that support and encourage prevention of violence and promote awareness of 2SLGBTQQIA+ concerns.

Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the progress being made, while also acknowledging the work that remains to build workplaces, homes and communities that are free of gender bias. It is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the ongoing work to advancing equality. It is also a time to honour the struggles, sacrifices, and victories of those who continue to fight and advocate for 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights, and to recognize that this work is not yet complete.

I invite all residents of the Northwest Territories to take part in your local Pride Month celebrations. A Pride Parade and Celebration in the Park will take place in Yellowknife on June 14th at noon at Somba K’e park. In Inuvik, a Pride Parade and BBQ are planning on June 10th at 5:30pm at Ingamo Hall. Check your communities for upcoming events and workshops that celebrate, educate, and empower. Participation and allyship are powerful acts that are crucial to build safer communities for Northerners.