Town & Country

C M Y K Page 2 2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2016 P R I D E N O R T H O F 5 5 SUPPORTING ART IN THE NORTH AND NORTHERN ARTISTS FOR INFORMATION ON EVENTS PLEASE CALL CRYSTAL KOLT - CULTURAL COORDINATOR, (204) 687-5974 or info@flinflonartscouncil.com www.flinflonartscouncil.com THE FLIN FLON ARTS COUNCIL Phone Factory Home Phone Service No One Refused! Low Monthly Rate! Calling Features and Unlimited Long Distance Available. Call Phone Factory Today! 1-877-336-2274 | www.phonefactory.ca Disconnected Phone? Tim Johnston MANAGER P.O. Box 1208, 3 Station Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1P1 TEL 204 677 1492 TEL 1 888 303 2232 FAX 204 778 5672 EMAIL tdj@northcentraldevelopment.ca WEB northcentraldevelopment.ca North Central Development Growing Communities one idea at a time Car Wash Gas & Sundries Confectionary Sears Outlet Coffee & Snacks Coin Operated Laundromat McDONALD LAW OFFICE PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.mcdonaldlaw.ca FAMILY LAW PERSONAL INJURY LAW FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 204-927-3900 TOLL FREE: 1-800-393-1110 EMAIL: mcdonaldlaw@shaw.ca 258 Tache Avenue, Wpg, MB R2H 1Z9 Highway 10 North Opaskwayak, MB p. 204-627-7230 f. 204-623-2770 www.otinekamall.ca otineka mall The largest mall in the North Three Levels, 225,000 sq. ft. indoor shopping mall & recreation & office complex SPACE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LEASING INQUIRIES Contact Ginger Martin @ otinekamall@gmail.com • Two anchor tenants: Red Apple (reopened in a new 16,000 sq ft location) and the Sports Traders • 13 retail stores • 30 machine Video Lotto Centre • Administration offices on the 3rd level. • Vacant 20,000 sq ft space for lease fully equipped for grocery tenant BOARDMAN / NORTHLAND FUNERAL SERVICE Serving Northern Manitoba JAMES C. BOARDMAN Funeral Director 28 Nelson Road Chapel 778-7982 Thompson, Manitoba R8N 0B4 Res. 677-4636 www.boardmanfh.com Toll Free 1-800-461-6876 R aising the rainbow flag has become an annual tradition in Thompson. Working with Pride Winnipeg and its community liaison director Jason Douglas, Michelle Smook co- founded Pride North of 55 in 2014 to break down barriers for LGBTTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirited, Queer) people living in northern Manitoba. "The community's reaction has been very positive," says Harlie Pruder, who became the Thompson-based organization's chairperson when Smook stepped down earlier this year. "We've gotten a lot of support from community stakeholders. They're eager to help and eager to get involved." Finding and accessing LGBTTQ services and support can be challenging, especially in smaller communities. "It's hard to find groups of people you identify with in a small community, and it's especially hard when you feel you're the only person who identifies a certain way," Pruder says. "Other people don't understand what you're going through, and there's that feeling of isolation." For the past three years, Pride North of 55 has organized a mini festival for all ages, with a special focus on family-friendly activities and an 18-plus social in the evening. It's also a craft fair of sorts, with representation from various community organizations and vendors, local crafters and artisans. "We've been trying to establish it as a week-long event for the last two years — a week-long dedication to Pride. We'd love for more families to come out," says Pruder. "Our events still don't have a huge turnout. We want the LGBTTQ community to attend, but we want our allies there too." Pride North of 55 also plans to reach out to neighbouring First Nations and other northern communities to help them arrange their own events. "This type of organization is important anywhere. There tends to be a lack of recognition and access to support and resources. It's important we come together and have a voice at the table," she says. "It's about making sure the LGBTTQ people are well represented in the community. Many people are not aware of the issues that LGBTTQ people in the North face." Currently, about 10 members attend the group's regular meetings, while another 10 are involved in organizing the annual rally. As Pride North of 55 grows, Pruder says they hope to expand services and add more events throughout the year. "We encourage people to become involved at the capacity they're able to. Allies are welcome to join the organization and help out. It's open to everyone and everyone is welcome," she says. "Sometimes people are afraid to come to a meeting because they feel they don't know enough about the issues." Some of the issues the group plans to address include the need for LGBTTQ-positive health care. Pride vice-chair Brielle Beardy says there is a lack of training and resources in the health and mental health fields. "There is one doctor in Thompson who can prescribe hormones; the other two are only able to monitor progress. Hormone availability is something recent in Thompson," Beardy says. "There are very limited safe spaces, most workplaces are not Trans-friendly, and mental-health support is limited." Another challenge is the lack of an LGBTTQ crisis centre. "Crisis centres here are limited in training for dealing with LGBTTQ-specific issues," says Beardy. "Also, getting to Thompson for any type of care or support is very difficult for many people in the surrounding towns and reserves." Pruder says it's important the LGBTTQ community have a voice so stakeholders are aware of where the community stands on various issues. "If they're not a part of our community, they may not think about our issues. Our goal is to support everyone and make sure there is representation," she explains. "We want to feel we're a part of the larger community and we want to see ourselves in the bigger picture." She encourages anyone who wants to learn more about the group or get involved in activities and events to check out the Pride North of 55 website (www. pridenorthof55.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook. com/PrideNorth). (TOP) PROUD TO HOIST THE RAINBOW FLAG. BACK ROW: KIRSTEN MCDONALD, ALEXANDER ASHTON, BRIELLE BEADY-LINKLATER, GARRET SCHREYER, SUSANNAH MUELLER. FRONT ROW: RAVEN FLETT, NDP MP NIKI ASHTON, HARLIE PRUDER, EMILY PRUDER. (BOTTOM) FROM LEFT: PRIDE WINNIPEG PRESIDENT JONATHON NIEMCZAK, MICHELLE SMOOK, RAVEN FLETT AND JASON DOUGLAS HOLD THE PRIDE BANNER. HARLIE PRUDER (RIGHT) AND EMILY PRUDER AT THE THOMPSON NICKEL DAYS PARADE IN 2015. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRIDE NORTH OF 55 North of 55 group provides support and representation BY HOLLI MONCRIEFF IN THE COMMUNITY Some of the issues the group plans to address include the need for LGBTTQ-positive health care. Pride vice-chair Brielle Beardy says there is a lack of training and resources in the health and mental health fields. eat fresh! Visit us at these locations! FLIN FLON 137 Main Street (204) 687-5558 THE PAS 254 Fischer Avenue (204) 623-7827 THOMPSON 73A Thompson Dr. N. (204) 677-2222 MELITA 624 Government Road (204) 522-8166 SOURIS 5-1st Avenue (204) 483-2953

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