Thunder Pride board members attending the 2020 Fierté Canada Pride conference in February. From left: Josh Pogue, Ashley Moreau, Jessy Bogacki, Jason Veltri, and Daniel Stilla. (Supplied: Jason Veltri)
Thunder Bay’s own LGBTQ organization is attending a national conference in Saskatchewan.
Thunder Pride board members are at the 2020 Fierté Canada Pride Conference in Regina, where Pride groups meet, attend workshops, and share ideas.
The event started Thursday and is on until Sunday. Chair Jason Veltri said it’s been an “action-packed” day so far, including a workshop on Indigenous and Two Spirit issues and combating racism.
“I’m hopeful that we get some good feedback so we can build a really exciting conference, that over 200 delegates will choose to come to Thunder Bay,” Veltri said.
Thunder Pride is hosting the 2021 conference and has said they’ve been working with the 2020 organizers to learn the ropes for next year’s conference. Thunder Pride is holding its own workshop today to gather ideas for the 2021 conference.
Veltri has attended the conference in previous years, but said it’s a new experience for the rest of the group. “I really want them to take away ideas and excitement, initiatives and opportunities that we can do in Thunder Bay and for Northwestern Ontario,” Veltri explained, “And building those relationships with our Prides from the Kenora border to Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.”
Thunder Pride is the only Northwestern Ontario group that’s at this year’s conference, and Veltri noted they want to be a “Northern voice” for smaller organizations in the region.
Team Thunder Pride is ready and heading to Regina for FCP2020!
Posted by Thunder Pride on Wednesday, February 5, 2020
