Pilick First Nation hosts first-ever Pride celebration, with some pleasant surprises

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You cansee more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

When Pilick First Nation decided to have its first-ever Pride celebration, organizers weren't sure if many people would show up.

They were pleasantly surprised.

A good numberof people attended the Pride celebration in June. Aside from a barbecueand a bouncy castle for kids the organizers wanted to involve children to show them its normal to be around Pride the event had all the features of an Indigenous celebration: smudging, prayer, dancing and song.

Those activities are included in any Indigenous celebration; why would Pride be any different? Ann Paul asked.

"If there's more people talking, there's more people out there who are available for them to go to," she said. Before, everybody was quiet so they didn't know who to talk to. They didn't know this person was safe to talk to."

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see Pilick First Nation's Pride through Ann's eyes.

WATCH | 2-spirit man shares how elders helped him find his identity:

Ann's Eye: Pilick First Nation flies rainbow colours for Pride celebration

1 year ago

Duration 3:03

In the latest Anns Eye segment, Pride meets an Indigenous sharing circle. Stories, drumming and singing amplify queer joy at the Pilick Pride celebration.

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick.Click hereor on the image below to see more of her work.