The University of Winnipeg is proud to be a welcoming community that embraces diversity and inclusion.
Pride is about belonging, raising awareness, and social justice, and The University of Winnipeg is a place where all three of those things happen daily.
Dr. Sharanpal Ruprai
Pride Week is held annually to recognize and amplify 2SLGBTQ+ people and their voices, as well as to commemorate successes and achievements while remembering historic and current struggles and discrimination faced by individuals in these communities.
Campus will be home to a series of Pride Week events, starting with the Progress and Two-Spirit flag raising on Monday, May 29 and ending on Sunday, June 4 with the Winnipeg Pride Parade.
“Pride is about belonging, raising awareness, and social justice, and The University of Winnipeg is a place where all three of those things happen daily,” said Dr. Sharanpal Ruprai, Chair of the Pride Committee. “The Pride Committee centres Two-Spirit voices and Queer People of Colour, and we continue this tradition with a Teach-In Luncheon about 2SLGBTQ+ awareness with Dr. Reece Malone and Elder Albert McLeod on Monday, May 29. We hope that faculty, staff, students, and alumni from the University will attend and celebrate and learn about contemporary issues facing the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
In addition to attending the many events, don’t forget to purchase your UWinnipeg Pride t-shirt. They’re available at the Campus Store and $5 from each sale supports the 2SLGBTQ+ Scholarship, which is a $500 award given to a second-, third-, or fourth-year undergraduate student who is active in community service or demonstrates academic promise in research on topics with particular relevance to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
“Join us on the walk on June 4 and let’s remember that the world needs more love and kindness, and we need to stand tall against hate and intolerance,” said Dr. Ruprai. “I would like to thank the committee for all of their work and time. We need to continue to unlearn and learn from each other and to strengthen our joy and love for our communities. Have a safe and fabulous 2023 Pride.”
Monday, May 29
Progress and Two-Spirit Flag Raising | In front of Wesley Hall at 10:00 a.m.
To kick off Pride Week, UWinnipeg will be raising the Progress and Two-Spirit flags on campus during a special ceremony featuring emcee Feather Talia, Elder Gayle Pruden, and singer Vanessa Tait. The ceremony will take place on the lawn in front of Wesley Hall, but in the event of inclement weather, it will be moved inside to Convocation Hall.
Teach-In Luncheon | Convocation Hall from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
The Teach-In Luncheon, which will feature a keynote address from Dr. Reece Malone, will highlight 2SLGBTQ+ awareness and contemporary issues, with a focus on creating an inclusive environment, considerations for systems/onboarding, and language. Elder Albert McLeod will start the teach-in by sharing the history of Two-Spirit people on this land.
This event is co-sponsored by Human Resources, the Pride Committee, the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, and Indigenous Engagement.
Tuesday, May 30
Drag Story Time | UWinnipeg Library at 1:00 p.m.
Hosted by the UWinnipeg Students’ Association, join local drag artists as they present story time at the UWinnipeg Library.
Wednesday, May 31
Alumni Affairs Reception, Film Screening of Out, and a Panel Discussion | Eckhardt Gramatté Hall at 11:30 a.m.
UWinnipeg Archives, Alumni Affairs, and the Pride Committee are proud to present the 30th anniversary screening of the National Film Board-produced documentary Out: Stories of Lesbian and Gay Youth.
Join us in the lobby of Eckhardt Gramatté Hall at 11:30 a.m. for an informal reception and enjoy light refreshments courtesy of Alumni Affairs and Diversity Food Services; view the Two-Spirit Archives pop-up exhibition; and visit the Pride merchandise booth. After the 12:30 p.m. screening, please stay for a panel discussion with film participants Elder Albert McLeod and Connie Merasty, moderated by Adrienne Huard.
Friday, June 2
Winnipeg Pride Parade Information Session | Location and Time TBA
This orientation session is for anyone who would like to walk in the Winnipeg Pride Parade on Sunday, June 4.
CKUW 2SLGBTQ+ Radio Marathon | CKUW from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Are you a 2SLGBTQ+ UWinnipeg student or community member who wants to show your Pride over the airwaves in Winnipeg? The CKUW Pride Radio Marathon is open for registration!
CKUW is offering airtime for you to show your passion for music, arts, culture, poetry, and politics. They’ll provide the technical help, and you’ll provide the content. Time slots are 30 minutes each and individuals can book up to one hour.
All are invited to tune in from wherever they are or visit The Hive to listen and join the Pride sign making.
Sunday, June 4
Winnipeg Pride Parade | In front of the Manitoba Legislative Building at 9:00 a.m.
The UWinnipeg community will walk together in the Winnipeg Pride Parade. In addition to individual staff, faculty, and students who attend, several University groups will join, including the UWinnipeg Wesmen and Queer Student Association.
Learn more about UWinnipeg’s Pride Week celebrations.
