It’s Indigenous History Month and Pride Month!!!

Written By Meera Baswan

The month of June recognizes National Indigenous History Month in Canada and is focused on celebrating and recognizing the importance of shedding light on the history, resilience, and diversity of Indigenous communities. This month and every month, it is critical to continue to support and uplift Indigenous voices and issues.

Pride Month

June also marks Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating and commemorating those who are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. One of the driving contributions to the existence of pride Month today were the 1969 Stonewall Riots, that took place on June 28. The following year marked the first Pride Marches, on June 28, 1970, as a way to commemorate Stonewall, eventually leading up to Pride Month being celebrated throughout the globe today. The Stonewall Riots were a defining moment for the recognition of 2SLGBTQ+ rights and awareness - they began after a local police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Lower Manhattan in New York City.

Some of the leading activists behind the Stonewall Riots included Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Storme DeLarverie, all of whom had intersecting identites that included the struggles they faced as members of the 2SLBGBTQ+ community, and also the BIPOC community. Their work and activism reminds us of the importance of recognizing the intersecting identities that encompass what it means to be 2SLGBTQ+.

The Importance of Intersectionality

As we recognize both Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month, it is important to recognize the important of celebrating both of these movements, and the many communities of Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ folk. Many Indigenous people identify as two-spirit, an identity that has been an instrumental part of Indigenous culture and history for ages. As we recognize Pride Month, it is important to recognize the importance of uplifting the voices of 2S individuals, and Indigenous folk who are also celebrating their queer identities.

What Can You Do?

  • Amplify Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ voices

  • Recognize the importance of intersectionality, and the intersection between Indigenous and 2SLBGTQ+ movements

  • Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ voices/platforms

  • Donate to Indigenous-owned organizations

  • Donate to organizations that support resources for 2SLGBTQ+ youth

  • Celebrate Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ voices every month, not just in June

Meera Baswan

Meera Baswan is the Co-Founder of The Indigenous Foundation. She created The Indigenous Foundation as a platform to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. Through the work she creates, she hopes to bring awareness to vital topics concerning Indigenous groups.

https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/meerabaswan
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