Now that June has arrived, the Northern Mosaic Network has shared their whole lineup of events for both Pride Month, and the YK Summer of Pride 2025.
To kick off the summer, the first event will be the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8th. Nearly thirty different floats will be gathering at Somba K’e Park and then will march down Franklin Avenue. Afterwards, a free barbecue will be held for locals to gather and enjoy the afternoon.
Chelsea Thacker, the Executive Director for the Northern Mosaic Network, shared some info on a few of the other events that are coming throughout the summer.
“We do have multiple events for families, youth, as well as adult only spaces. Following the Pride Parade, we have a golf tournament happening next Friday, we have a creative activism event happening with Makerspace later this month, as well as a Two Spirit Tea Party.
“Then throughout July, we’ve got speed printing and karaoke, a baby rave, the Pride Paddle is coming back, and then to close off the Summer of Pride, we’ve got our post office cupcakes for commemoration to honour the first Pride celebration in Yellowknife, which is handing out cake in front of the Post Office.”
The last of the events will be a Pride in the Park celebration, a Pride Party, and a Bingo Brunch.
A full list of events for the YK Summer of Pride 2025
(Northern Mosaic Network)
Thacker also shared what they feel is the theme for this year’s Pride celebrations.
“I think, resoundingly, the theme is solidarity. We need to come together as a community, whether you’re 2SLGBTQIA+, you’re an ally, or you’re still looking to learn more and figure out where you fall within that spectrum of folks, we need to see community solidarity and support.
“There’s been a bit of backlash online in terms of supporting our events and showing support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in general. I think as well, we know that trans, two-spirit, and gender diverse people are experiencing the highest levels of hate I think that we’ve ever seen in this modern time. For that reason alone, we really do need to show up altogether. If this is the year you think ‘oh, maybe I don’t need to show up at Pride’ or ‘maybe there’s not a space for me,’ there’s a space for everyone.
“Our events are intentionally designed to welcome everyone, to have those safe spaces that we can maintain, and to also just show each other that solidarity and support.”
Thacker added that the Northern Mosaic Network is working on improving the representation of minority groups across the board, including Indigenous people, people of colour, and other global minorities. Their hope is that these groups will see greater inclusion into Pride events throughout the summer, and through the rest of the year.
Thacker mentions the Two-Spirit Tea Party event which is also taking place on Indigenous Peoples Day. They explain that this will be a space for people to stop by to learn more and be a part of the community. The Mosaic Network will also be looking to do events with Indigenous drag queens, as well as Native hosts and speakers.
The Northern Mosaic Network holds different programs across Yellowknife on a weekly basis, which includes peer support programs that are available across the NWT. Many of these programs involve training workshops and educational materials, all of which can be found on their website.
Over the last several years, there has been a very visible rise in not only misinformation and prejudice against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but also outright hate and violence. Thacker shared some closing words of encouragement to those who may be feeling scared in this current social and political climate.
“I would like to say to my community that the concerns are valid, and people not feeling safe at Pride, or in general, living as their authentic selves in our community, is valid. We have been receiving high levels of hate and discrimination, or even ignorance and lack of activism from different levels of government, from community members, our neighbours, friends, family, and I want people to know that in spite of that, and in spite of a history of trying to erase LGBTQ identity, we are still here.
“We will always be here, and we are stronger together, and we need to be in community with one another. That’s how we will get through all of this, and how we can encourage people to come into the space to learn more about the issues. We are stronger as a community, and though people can feel really lonely and isolated, hopefully throughout the Summer of Pride, people are reminded that they’re not alone, and that there are people out there who love them and see them for who they are.”
