Thunder Bay, ON — The City of Thunder Bay officially kicked off Pride Month 2026 with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on June 3, where the Two-Spirit and Pride flags were raised in front of a gathering of community members, youth, and local leaders.
The annual ceremony marked the beginning of a month-long celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Thunder Bay. The crowd included students, local politicians, advocates, and allies who gathered to show their support for inclusion and diversity in the city. The flag raising was followed by a series of Pride events across the region throughout June.
Earlier in the week, the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board also raised the Pride flag at its board office, becoming the first Catholic school board in Ontario to do so when it began the tradition in 2019. Superintendent of Education Allison Sargent highlighted the theme of the ceremony: “Dignity, growing in community.” Flags have been raised at each school across the city throughout the month.
“Next year, we will have the festival and parade, but we envision events occurring every month to honor Pride and the queer community, and we will keep everyone informed about these happenings.”
— Loweth, Thunder Pride Association
Thunder Pride hosted its annual Pride Festival on Saturday, June 13, at Friendship Gardens, drawing thousands of attendees for an afternoon of entertainment, community connection, and celebration. The festival featured live performances, vendor booths, food, and activities for all ages, creating a vibrant atmosphere of inclusion and belonging.
Additionally, a Two-Spirit and Our Relations Pow Wow was held at Confederation College, honoring Indigenous LGBTQ+ community members and their unique cultural contributions. The pow wow combined traditional Indigenous ceremony with Pride celebrations, reflecting Thunder Bay’s commitment to intersectional inclusivity.
The Sikh community in Thunder Bay also participated in Pride Month through the city’s first-ever Nagar Kirtan parade, a religious procession celebrating faith and community that reinforced messages of love, acceptance, and diversity. The event highlighted Thunder Bay’s growing cultural diversity and the community’s commitment to inclusion across all backgrounds.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and share this information with friends and family. Following trusted local news sources helps ensure everyone stays up to date with events and announcements affecting Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
🔗 Read the original report from CBC News Thunder Bay
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: Staff Report · 🗓️ June 14, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
