Re-Emergence Tour: Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ Activism and Milestones
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – March 2025 – This year, we proudly present Re-Emergence, a powerful celebration of the resilience, activism, and milestones within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Hosted at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum in partnership with Sault Pride and International Day of Pink, this event highlights pivotal moments in history while honouring the ongoing fight for justice, inclusion, and representation.
Honouring Two-Spirit Identity: A Landmark Moment
As part of this year’s celebration, we recognize the creation of the first-ever Two-Spirit Pride Flag, designed by renowned artist Patrick Hunter to mark the 35th anniversary of the term "Two-Spirit." This landmark moment underscores the importance of visibility and cultural pride for Two-Spirit individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ community.
The flag’s design carries profound symbolism: two stylized eagle feathers represent the balance of masculine and feminine energies, resting on giizis (the sun) to signify the boundless nature of our spirits. As Patrick Hunter explains, “We walk Turtle Island with these two perspectives at all times, and if they are in harmony, we can achieve anything.”
Hunter’s artistic vision embodies resilience, interconnectedness, and the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples. “Science tells us that we’re all made from star stuff, as old as the universe,” he reflects. “We’re here to add our own verse to the cosmic poem.”
A Night of Reflection and Creativity
The Re-Emergence Tour recognizes key milestones in 2SLGBTQIA+ history, including:
The LGBT Purge – 35 Years Later: Honoring Michelle Douglas’s 1990 challenge to discriminatory military policies, the 2016 class-action lawsuit, and the ongoing fight for justice.
Two-Spirit Communities: Marking 35 years since the adoption of the term Two-Spirit, 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report, and 5 years since the Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples.
Event Details:
March 29, 2025
Sault Ste. Marie Museum (690 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
6:30 PM
Featuring Patrick Hunter for a Paint Night
Tickets: $40 (Cost-accessible tickets available via ssmpride@gmail.com)
Amanda Zuke, Chair of Sault Pride, emphasizes the event’s significance: “Re-Emergence is not just about remembering history—it’s about actively shaping a future where all 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered.”
Nicole Curry, Collections Assistant at Sault Ste. Marie Museum, adds: “We are honoured to host this important event, providing a space to celebrate Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ stories through art, activism, and history.”
Join Us in Celebration
The Re-Emergence Tour is an opportunity to come together, reflect on the past, and build a more inclusive future. Through art, storytelling, and community, we honour those who paved the way and inspire the next generation of activists.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Nicole Curry collections@saultmuseum.ca
Amanda Zuke ssmpride@gmail.com