Ahead of Pride Month in June, the NC community is invited to join as we raise the Pride flag on Friday, May 30 at 1 p.m. at the flagpoles at both the Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The flag is an important symbol of recognition and inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and the event is a chance for all to show their support.
On behalf of the Executive Team, Pam Skinner, Senior Vice-President, College Operations, will bring remarks at the Welland Campus. Dr. Chris McGrath, Vice-President, Students will bring remarks at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Members of the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) board and Pride Niagara will also speak. Flags, pins and cookies will be on offer.
Anniversary of the term “Two-Spirit”
2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the term “Two-Spirit,” which highlights the identity of Two-Spirit Indigenous people noted at the start of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym. June is also Indigenous History Month.
Across the Niagara region, it is placed at the start of the acronym to remind us all that Two-Spirit people, like all Indigenous peoples, continue to live and work here and were on this land first.
The term “Two-Spirit” comes out of the 1990 third annual Native American, First Nations, gay and lesbian gathering and was chosen to be a culturally appropriate umbrella term for First Nations, as each nation has its own understanding of gender.
Tie-dye and donuts with Student Engagement and NCSAC
June 3 (WC) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Courtyard (outside the cafeteria)
June 5 (DJP-NOTL) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Courtyard
While supplies last.
Living Library: A conversation with Dr. Chris McGrath, VP, Students
June 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. (Virtual)
Join us online for Living Library #11 with Dr. Chris McGrath (he/him/his), NC’s Vice-President, Students for a positive, fun and uplifting conversation moderated by Ali Ryder, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Student Recruitment.
Register here.
Meet and greet with Kaytee Smith
June 3 (WC) from 2 to 3 p.m.
June 30 (DJP-NOTL) from 2 to 3 p.m.
NC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator Kaytee Smith will host a meet and greet with new students, including colouring pages and a presentation on sexual violence prevention and violence for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
In the community
- Pride Niagara Festival 2025: May 31 to June
A variety of events throughout the Niagara Region. Celebrating 2SLQBTQIA+ heritage and building traditions together.- May 31: Pride Niagara Kick Off Party
- June 4: Niagara Unity Awards
- June 8: Hieeee Tea! Learn more on Instagram @prideniagara
- June 2: Niagara Falls Pride Niagara Festival: Flag-Raising at City Hall at 1 p.m.
- June 2: Town of NOTL Pride Flag Raising at 1 p.m.
- June 2: Town of Lincoln Pride Flag Raising at 1 p.m.
- May 31: Pride Haldimand and Norfolk
- June 28: Fort Erie Pride Festival
About the Pride flag
Designed by American artist and designer Daniel Quasar, the design features the traditional rainbow colours, plus a five-coloured chevron and black and brown stripes to better emphasize inclusion and to represent marginalized members of the community. The black and brown stripes have been interpreted in two ways, 1) to represent racial diversity within the community and 2) to represent those lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with AIDS. The inclusion of pink, light blue and white pay homage to the Transgender Pride flag. The purple circle overlaid over a yellow triangle in the chevron on the left side of the flag represents the intersex flag.
