VOLUME 13 IS OUT NOW!

The history of HIV has left a legacy of stigma and misinformation that continues today. The most effective way to challenge this is to educate yourself and listen closely to the experiences and needs of the communities most affected. It’s easy to keep yourself up to date with the current facts about HIV and all STBBIs at catie.ca, or reach out to your local testing center, public health clinic, or community organizations like The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and Northreach Society.

When we take the time to understand, we can raise awareness, educate others, and offer meaningful support. The Journal of Indigenous HIV Research is an excellent resource for learning about your community’s needs through a culturally informed perspective

Sources and links:
Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week - CAAN: Empowering Indigenous Communities | HIV/AIDS Support, Education, and Advocacy in Canada
Northern Indigenous Alliance | Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
Northreach Society - Harm Reduction & HIV Support - Grande Prairie, AB
CATIE - Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information
https://www.caan.ca/indigenous-aids-awareness-week/a

Friday, December 12th well also be having a community event for FREE ❤️

December 1st is World AIDS Day, a time to reflect on the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the important work that must be continued. It is a day to honour those who live with and have been lost to HIV/AIDS and all those impacted. HIV is more than just a virus, it impacts real everyday people. Show up for your community by educating yourself, raising awareness, and getting tested! We will be posting all week to help raise awareness in our community!

On Friday, December 12th we will also be having a community event at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre with @_audrinalinn and @helluva.thing starting at 1:00PM

#EveryoneHasAnHIVStatus #WorldAIDSDay #QueerHistory #IndigenousHIVAwareness

This week we’re talking with Daniela about communication in community — and how powerful it can be when we keep an open dialogue about our needs.

When we don’t treat differences like a problem to fix we create time and space for folks to be themselves.

We don’t always have the answers, and that’s okay. What matters is showing up, sharing honestly, and giving people the direction they need to support one another.

Community grows when we listen, ask questions, and create space for everyone to feel understood.

When folks take the time to learn more about Autism Spectrum disorder they create capacity to support others. Educating yourself Is part of disability justice!

Trans Awareness Week
Thu, Nov 13, 2025 – Wed, Nov 19, 2025 🏳️‍⚧️

This week is all about listening, learning, and showing up for our trans community — not just now, but year-round.

• Respect Pronouns & Names
Introduce yourself using your pronouns first, if you’re unsure, ask kindly. Use the name and pronouns someone shares with you, no exceptions.

• Learn on Your Own Time
Explore trans history, stories, and experiences. Education is powerful — and it helps you be a better ally.

• Use Inclusive Language
Choose words that welcome everyone. “Hey folks,” “everyone,” or “friends” go a long way.

• Support & Speak Up
Call out harmful comments when you hear them. Stand beside trans people in community spaces, events, and advocacy.

• Protect Privacy
Never share someone’s gender identity or history without their permission.

Let’s keep building safer, more affirming spaces — this week and every week

🌈✨ Rainbow Resiliency November Events!

🎬 Nov 12 – Documentary Movie Night: Someone Like Me (7PM)
A heartfelt film about a group of queer strangers coming together to support a gay Ugandan man seeking asylum in Canada.

❄️ Nov 25 – Cultural Evening: Inuit Connections with Goota Demerais (6PM)
We’re so excited to welcome Goota as she shares her Inuit teachings, cultural demonstrations, and a delicious traditional meal.
📧 Please note: this event is by registration only! To secure your spot, email Sarah at niha@gpfriendship.com
.
Spaces are limited!

This week at Rainbow Resiliency we started working on our community weaving loom lead by Natal 🌈

Spooky szn just got gayer 🌈👻

Join us all October for crafts, karaoke, drag, and community magic!

💀 Oct 16 – Halloween Weaving. Crafts & Chats!
💋 Oct 25 – Drag Show & Costume Contest w/ @therealtiffanyibs
🎃 Oct 31 – Rainbow Halloween Bash

Come for the treats, stay for the queer joy 🍬✨

✨ Accessibility at GPFC:
✔ Wheelchair accessible
✔ Masking optional (encouraged)
✔ Gender-neutral washrooms
✔ Close to transit
✔ Free to participate

Questions? Email Sarah Carrier at: niha@gpfriendship.com

This week’s conversation is with Kirsten ʔixc̓əmatusəlagəlis — educator, language revitalizationist, and member of our BIPAN team — about how Indigenous teachings guide her work in the classroom.

We talk about learning in circles instead of lines, and how neurodiverse learning isn’t broken — it’s rooted, relational, and valid.

Right now, this conversation feels more urgent than ever. Teachers across Alberta are preparing to strike for fair wages, smaller class sizes, and more supports in classrooms — especially for students with complex and intersectional needs.

Disability justice means standing with educators and students who deserve resources that honour every way of learning.
Because education is collective care. 🌱

ID: Seven-slide illustrated series in pixel-art style featuring avatars of Natal and Kirsten. They discuss Indigenous approaches to teaching, honouring neurodiverse learning, and connecting classroom accessibility to the ongoing Alberta teachers’ strike.

What an amazing summer with Rainbow Resiliency!

We laughed, painted, walked the land, picked berries, played in the garden, made jam, coloured, wrote letters, watched films, and most importantly — we showed up for each other. ✨

Every gathering was filled with joy, creativity, and connection — the kind of queer magic that makes our community feel like home.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and helped to grow our little group 🌱🎨🍓
Here’s a little highlight of the love, laughter, and memories we shared this summer.

🍇✨ This week at Rainbow Resiliency we’ve been stirring up something sweet — blueberry jam made from berries we picked together. Because community care is sweeter when it’s shared. 💜

Join us for our next gathering:
📍 Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
📅 Tuesday, Aug 26 @ 7 PM
🌈 Talking Circle with Two-Spirit Elder + Knowledge Keeper Darlene Horseman, followed by bannock & tea mixer.

Find out how we make space for care, laughter, and connection. Shout out to @c.shera28 for volunteering to make Jam with us!

Read the full story + recipe on Substack!

BIPAN Magazine Vol. 13 is out now!
Head to page 5 for Indigenous Teaching Offerings—a recurring column by Kirsten and Natal that dives into language revitalization: why it matters, and why Two-Spirit people are often leading the way.

🌿 As Two-Spirit people, we walk in both worlds. Reconnecting with ancestral languages gives us the words to express our truths—our roles, our identities, and our spirits.

Read this issue for free and learn how language heals, empowers, and strengthens our communities.

🌈 Rainbow Resiliency – July Events! 🌈
🎉 July 8 – Garden Party
Unwind, get creative with tie-dye and colouring, and spend some peaceful time in our Traditional Healing Garden.

🎬 July 22 – Film Night
Join us for Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance followed by a meaningful discussion.

📍 GPFC Traditional Healing Garden
10507 98 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

All 2SLGBTQIA+ adults & allies welcome!

This is a space for connection, creativity, and collective care.

✨ Accessibility:
✔ Wheelchair accessible
✔ Masking optional (encouraged)
✔ Gender-neutral washrooms
✔ Close to transit
✔ Free to participate

Questions? Email Sarah Carrier at: niha@gpfriendship.com

ID: July 2025 calendar with rainbow circles on the 8th and 22nd for RR meetings. Two-Spirit and Trans flags included. Handwritten-style font on glitter background.

#RainbowResiliency #2SLGBTQIA #GrandePrairieEvents #QueerJoy #CommunityCare #TwoSpirit #TransRights #QueerAndProud #BIPANSupportServices #GPFC

Speaking across centuries to Sultana from Begum Rokeya’s revolutionary text, Malivia's poem weaves encryption, diaspora, rage, and tenderness. As a transgender, mixed-race immigrant-settler, they trace dreams that rupture — and remake — the myths of home, liberation, and resistance.

Read Sultana’s Dream in BIPAN Vol. 13 page 33

ID: Magazine spread open to Sultana's Dream with ocean waves in the background.

In response to over 20 letters sent to our school boards asking for Pride materials to be removed, we organized a letter-writing campaign of our own.

Rainbow Resiliency is a peer-led support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing. Our advocacy is intersectional — because queerness, culture, and identity are deeply connected.

June is both Pride Month and Indigenous History Month, and this year has been a reminder that being “tolerated” isn’t the same as being accepted. We create spaces for joy, resistance, and healing. These are not neutral spaces — they are sacred. When you enter them, you carry a responsibility to honour who they are for.

We don’t do this work for visibility. We do it for liberation. Because queerness is not new — it’s traditional. It’s ancestral. It’s powerful.

To everyone showing up in real, grounded ways — thank you. We keep going. Together.

#PrideMonth #IndigenousHistoryMonth #2SLGBTQIA #QueernessIsSacred #RainbowResiliency #Intersectionality #CommunityCare #BIPANMagazine

The Day of Friendship kicked off with the fourth annual Every Child Matters crosswalk hand painting in downtown Grande Prairie.

This now-annual tradition—painting orange hands across a city crosswalk—was initiated by Meghan Zatko, owner of Peppermint Twist Hair Design & Day Spa and sponsor of the project. Four years ago, she approached Miranda, Executive Director of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre (GPFC), with the idea as a way to unite the community and create a lasting, meaningful tribute to those we’ve lost—particularly the children who died in residential schools and those affected by the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR).
“There can be so much separation,” Zatko shared. “But this reminds people that we’re all equals. Everyone should feel like they belong in this community.”

The day began with speeches. Zatko acknowledged the support of the City and the GPFC in making the symbolic gesture possible. Elder Leonard Auger, GPFC President, spoke about the importance of friendship in building relationships, promoting understanding, and fostering belonging. He encouraged attendees to step out of their comfort zones: “Shake someone’s hand, introduce yourself—make a new connection today.”

Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton also addressed the crowd, recalling how last year’s painted crosswalk was lost due to construction. She noted that this year, We had to start over—but we do it with intention. “We see you, we care, and we stand in solidarity with the Indigenous people of our community.”

Among the many attendees was Damon Nicolet, who proudly wore a Métis sash gifted by a relative. They came in honor of family members who were day school survivors. “Marking your hands is meaningful,” they said. “Community coming together like this is powerful—especially for those of us who didn’t always have a voice.”

This year saw the largest turnout yet—an encouraging sign that more people are recognizing the story behind the crosswalk, the Every Child Matters movement, and the deeper meaning those orange handprints carry.

🌈 Rainbow Resiliency – Pride Month Edition

This June, we’re mixing things up. Instead of our usual peer-led sharing circle, we’re hosting two special events to celebrate Pride, community, and action.

✨ June 10 – Letter Writing Action 7PM
Make your voice heard. Join us as we write letters in support of Pride materials in schools and reach out to trustees. Your words matter.

✨ June 24 – Tie-Dye Day 7PM
Bring something white and get creative with rainbow colours in celebration of Pride. Let’s make something vibrant together.

📍 Location: GPFC Traditional Healing Garden
Address: 10507 98 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4L1
This space is open to all 2SLGBTQIA+ adults and allies. Come for connection, creativity, and collective care.

📧 Questions? niha@gpfriendship.com

Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible
😷 Masking optional but encouraged
Gender-neutral washrooms
Close to transit
Free to participate

This morning, Grande Prairie residents gathered downtown to repaint the city’s rainbow crosswalks—an annual act of visibility and celebration for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Organized by the Grande Prairie Pride Society, the event is one of several taking place this Pride Month and continues to grow as a symbol of both local solidarity and resistance.

“This is more than paint—it’s a sign that you belong here,” said Gordon Pellerin, the Society’s volunteer coordinator and a local, self-declared queer historian. “I’ve been doing activism here since the 1980s. Back then, we didn’t have this kind of visibility. And even today, for some people in our community, suicide feels like a real option. Something like this can change that—it can literally save lives.”

As volunteers painted one half of the crosswalk at a time to keep traffic flowing, vice president Joshua Winland shared what the city’s support means. “I’m so glad the city’s behind this. When people see this kind of visibility, it helps them feel a little less afraid to be themselves.”

Right then, a driver sped through the intersection and aggressively skidded their tires—leaving dark marks on the unpainted section. Winland paused and gestured to the moment. “See? We already have people showing their anger about this. That’s why it’s still necessary. But my hope is that one day, people won’t have to worry about being themselves here.”

Erica Fisher, former president of the Pride Society, reflected on how much the event has grown. “The first time we did this in 2017, it was just a few folks painting the street,” they said with a smile. “Now it’s music, food, sponsors. But it took years of asking, planning, organizing. Pride in Grande Prairie isn’t something that just happens—we fought for it.”

This marks the second year both crosswalks in the intersection have been painted. While the tradition began quietly, in 2022 it evolved into a celebration where community members and allies can gather and show their pride in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing ACHIMOK ᐊᒋᒧᐠ V – All of You Tell a Story

Today we’re sharing a glimpse of the installation process for this year’s ACHIMOK exhibition at the Beaverlodge Art and Culture Centre, located on Treaty 8 Territory. @beaverlodgeartculturecentre

One of the deeply moving pieces in this year’s exhibition is the Faceless Doll Project — a memorial installation honoring the first 215 Indigenous children whose remains were uncovered at the former Kamloops Indian residential school. These faceless dolls stand for the thousands more still being recovered — children who were silenced, but not forgotten.

This Sunday, we invite you to witness the full exhibition:
🧡 Opening Reception: Sunday, May 25 at 2 PM (Doors open at 1:00)
📍 Beaverlodge Art and Culture Centre
📅 Exhibition runs: May 25 – June 26, 2025

Now in its second year, this annual exhibit — curated by Monique Hommy — is presented in recognition of National Indigenous History Month, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and diverse stories of Indigeneity across the so-called Americas.
This is art that remembers. Art that speaks.
Come listen. Come witness. Come reflect.

Rock painting last night for Rainbow Resiliency in the Traditional Healing Garden at the GPFC 🌸

On May 15, 2025 we marked 77 years of the ongoing Nakba.

This is not just a day of remembrance — it is a day to recommit ourselves to action, to justice, and to the liberation of Palestine.

In Grande Prairie, we held our second Speaker Series event, where we deepened conversations around global solidarity and honored the memory of nearly 750,000 Palestinians violently expelled, and over 400 villages and towns destroyed by Zionist militias in 1948.

The Nakba — Arabic for “catastrophe” — is not history. It is a lived, ongoing reality. It continues as the Israeli regime kills Palestinians with impunity, steals homes, and expands illegal settlements on stolen land. This is settler colonialism. This is ethnic cleansing. This is the ongoing Nakba.
But one day, the Nakba will end.

One day, Nakba Day will be a true day of remembrance — when free Palestinian families gather to honor their martyrs and celebrate their return. One day, Zionism will be a distant, dark memory. One day, resistance will no longer be needed — because justice will have prevailed.

That day is coming. No occupation lasts forever.
Our duty is to bring it closer — through solidarity, truth, and unwavering action.

Did you know BIPAN Magazine is completely FREE to read online?

Each issue is created by our art collective as a free resource for everyone to enjoy

available now on our website!

Today is #RedDressDay2025 Red Dress Day was created to recognize the devastating impact that v*olence and systemic rac*sm have had on Indigenous people. It’s time we take action and demand justice for the stolen lives and unrecognized stories of lost loved ones.

We encourage everyone to get involved and actively create a future where Indigenous people can live without fear of systemic v*olence. By wearing red, hanging a red shirt or dress in your window, attending a local event, or engaging with your friends and family about the ongoing v*olence against our Indigenous kin, you can help raise awareness!

No more missing and murdered relatives! ✊🏽

Join us for an evening of reflection, learning, and community care as we honor the lives, stories, and ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people since the 1948 (“catastrophe”). Through conversation, speakers, and shared food, we hold space for memory, solidarity, and collective action.

May 15, 2025
Rotary Room, GP Public Library
6:00–7:45 PM
Appies provided | Free & open to all

Accessibility:
♿ Wheelchair accessible
😷 Masks encouraged (not required)
🚌 Close to transit
🏳️‍🌈 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly space

MAY DAY 2025

A day for workers of the world to unite ✊🏽🌍
As the ruling class wages war, fuels jen-oc*de, and drives economic crisis, we rise in solidarity across borders, sectors, and struggles to demand a world built by and for the working class.

Let’s stand together against the right-wing billionaire agenda.

Our labor, our power, our future.

At BIPAN Magazine, staying connected to our readers is at the heart of everything we do. Each issue, we create a community prompt to spark reflection and conversation on topics that matter to us all. In this issue, we asked our community how we can collectively hold space for those on the other side of the globe who are affected by the steadily increasing conflict and injustice in the world.

Having compassion and paving the way for change can look different for every person, and we wanted to know: What does that look like for you? How can we, as a collective, support and stand in solidarity with those who are facing immense hardship far from our own communities?

We received heartfelt submissions from Bianca Palacio, Tati, Marina Saldivar, Adriana, Frida, and many more, each offering unique perspectives on how to extend care and solidarity across borders. Their words inspire us to consider not just the immediate, but the long-term, ripple effects of our actions, and how we can shape a world where justice and compassion reach beyond our own backyard.
Explore their powerful insights in this issue pages 45-50

ID: Three images featuring the Community Prompt section, designed with a light purple scrapbook theme. The first image showcases the title, set against a background that includes tape and loose-leaf paper accents. The second image provides general information about the recurring article, explaining how it works and how to participate. The final image presents the magazine spreads, continuing the scrapbook aesthetic with playful, written elements and a collage-style layout.

🌈 Win VIP Tickets to Party in White! 🌈

We’re so excited to once again offer a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to the Grande Prairie Pride Society’s Party in White! 🎉✨

Join us at our Rainbow Resiliency Groups this April and May to enter the draw!

Tonight’s group meets at 6:30 PM at Northwestern Polytechnic, Room B201.
We’re building community, celebrating resilience, and maybe y’all can snag those VIP passes 👀💃

@grandeprairiepride #PartyInWhite #RainbowResiliency #GrandePrairiePride #NorthWesternPolytechnic

🌸 Bee and Natal are back with another important conversation! We want to know—who do you follow and learn from?

Here are a few folks we relate to and learn from:
✨@candy.courn - Courn 안 (they/them)
✨@emily.a.foster - Emily (she/them)
✨@livedexperienceeducator - Sonny J (they/them)
✨@ashralouisa - Ashra (she/her)
✨@saranne_wrap - Sara (she/her)

🌟Who are your favorite creators? Let us know in the comments!

#AutismAcceptance #2SLGBTQIAVoices #RepresentationMatters #BIPANCollective #Inspiration #AutisticCommunity #LearningTogether

ID:
Floral background with two illustrations of Bee and Natal. In speech bubbles:
Bee: “Hey Natal! I was wondering, do you have any favorite autistic content creators to share with me?”
Natal: “Oh yah! I’ve learned so much from these amazing content creators who are doing the work to educate, raise awareness, and build community for the Autistic and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.”

🌸 BIPAN: A Space By The Community, For The Community 🌸

Natal, the founder of BIPAN Magazine, is Autistic, trans/non-binary/Two-Spirit, and bi/pansexual. Why does this matter? Because these identities are often interconnected, and the experiences of being both Autistic and part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are deeply tied. These intersections shape how we navigate the world—and how we approach our work at BIPAN.

☀️ Natal created BIPAN as a space that is free, accessible, and community-driven—where people can share their stories, connect, and build each other up. Because when you’re Autistic and part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, you’re often misunderstood or misrepresented.

News Flash:
We’re great! And it’s okay to be who we are. The way our brains work might make us perceive things differently—like social hierarchies, personal gain, or self-expression—but that doesn’t make us any less worthy of being heard, celebrated, and affirmed. 🌟

BIPAN isn’t just a magazine or an art collective—it’s a radical act of community-building. We’re anti-capitalist and not in it for profit. Capitalism has long required us to sacrifice connection—for efficiency, output, and profit. We’re doing this because we care, not because we need to meet deadlines or make money. It’s about creating space for the stories and voices that are often silenced or misrepresented.

#AutismAcceptance #2SLGBTQIA+ #Intersectionality #DisabilityJustice #CommunityBuilding #BIPANCollective #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveSpaces #AntiCapitalist

🌸 Meet Bee and Natal, two of our amazing BIPAN Art collective members! Did you know that research shows Autistic people are more likely to identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community than the general population? 🌈

That’s why we advocate for Disability Justice—because all marginalized identities deserve affirmation, support, and access to spaces that truly reflect their experiences.

At BIPAN, we aim to provide just that: a platform that honors the intersectionality of our identities and fosters genuine inclusion. 🌟
Let’s continue to push for spaces that reflect the full diversity of our communities. 💜

#AutismAcceptance #2SLGBTQIA+ #DisabilityJustice #RepresentationMatters #Intersectionality #BIPANCollective #Inclusion #AutisticCommunity #SupportAndAffirmation

ID:
Floral background with two illustrations of Bee and Natal. In speech bubbles:
Bee: “Hey, Natal! Did you knowwwww? Research shows that Autistic people are more likely to identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community than the general population.”
Natal: “Yeah, the intersectionality of it all! That’s why we advocate for Disability Justice—because all marginalized identities deserve affirmation, support, and access to spaces that truly reflect their experiences.”

🌸 April is Autism Acceptance Month, and at BIPAN, we want to take this time to reflect on what ASD means to us. We’re not an ego-driven space—we don’t claim to know everything, but we’re here to learn, share, and amplify voices that need to be heard.

Many of our collective members are Autistic, and representation matters—especially in marginalized communities like ours. There is a significant lack of research and representation for 2SLGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and women with ASD, and it’s time for that to change.

This month, we’ll be sharing content to educate, advocate, and support both our community and those who want to learn and stand with us. We’re fighting for inclusion, recognition, and accessibility for all Autistic people.

Follow along as we continue to raise awareness, push for more representation, and amplify voices that have too often been left out.

#AutismAcceptanceMonth #ASDawareness #2SLGBTQIA+ #IndigenousVoices #LatinxVoices #WomenWithASD #RepresentationMatters #BIPAN #InclusiveSpaces #PushForChange #AutismAcceptance

🗣️ On National Indigenous Languages Day, we stand in solidarity with the revitalization of Indigenous languages that hold the wisdom, culture, and history of our people. To those working tirelessly to preserve and teach these sacred languages — we see you, we honor you, and we thank you. At BIPAN, we envision a future where all Indigenous languages across Turtle Island are safe, vibrant, and thriving. On this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting Indigenous peoples in the reclamation, revitalization, strengthening, and maintenance of their languages, ensuring that no language is left behind or forgotten.

🏳️‍⚧️ Today on International Transgender Day of Visibility, we uplift trans voices, share in their experiences, and stand together for equality and justice. In a world that continues to challenge us, we need more than just visibility—we need a Trans life of protection and respect. Make no mistake, we are not going back, but the fight goes beyond visibility; it’s about survival, safety, and love. Take this day to feel proud, be as visible as your safety allows, but remember: the work doesn’t stop here. We keep us safe, we keep us loved, we keep us strong.

On March 20th, we honor the resilience, strength, and beauty of Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous communities. This day is a celebration and a call for advocacy, open to all Two-Spirit and Indigenous Queer/Trans people, their families, and allies. Held around the Spring Equinox, a time that symbolizes transformation and change, we recognize that justice for Indigenous peoples is integral to Queer liberation. We at BIPAN stand together to support, uplift, and amplify calls to action for a brighter, more inclusive future!

🌟 Excited to be part of the 2025 Spirit Seekers Youth Conference! 🌟

Natal from BIPAN will be hosting Zine Making Workshops at this incredible 2-day event, celebrating Youth Empowerment, Growth, and Learning in Treaty 8 Territory, Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Join us on Saturday, March 29th, as we dive into the creative world of zines and explore how they can amplify youth voices and empower individuals.
The conference will feature incredible facilitators from across Turtle Island, including keynote speaker @linsay.kendall (Linsay Willier-Kendall), and workshops on healing, culture, art, self-defense, and more. Plus, there will be a Community Feast, Pipe Ceremony, Round Dance, and a Vendor Market! 🎉

🗓️ Register now before space fills up—Deadline: March 14th!
🔗 Link in bio to register!
See you there! ✨

Accessibility Notes:
Wheelchair accessible
😷 Masking is optional but encouraged
Gender-neutral washrooms
Close to transit
🏳️‍⚧️2SLGBTQIA+ Friendly

#SpiritSeekersConference #GrandePrairieFriendshipCentre #ZineMaking #YouthEmpowerment #BIPANMagazine #BIPANSupportServices #WorkshopFacilitator #IndigenousYouth #NorthwesternPolytechnic #CommunityCare #CommunityBuilding #CulturalHealing #QueerAndTwoSpirit

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Indigenous Artists
We’re excited to announce the second year of ACHIMOK 🪶 — an exhibition that celebrates the diversity and stories of Indigeneity across the so-called Americas. Join us in Beaverlodge, Alberta, for National Indigenous History Month.

Exhibition Dates: May 25 - June 26, 2025
Location: Beaverlodge Art and Culture Centre (Treaty 8 Territory)

This exhibition is open to Indigenous artists of all ages and mediums.
To Submit: Send a brief bio, a description, and an image of your piece to: Miwasinconnections@gmail.com
Deadline: April 30, 2025
Curated by: Monique Hommy
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this powerful cultural showcase! 🪶🎨
Got questions? Comment

#IndigenousArt #AchimokExhibition #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth #Treaty8 #ArtCall #IndigenousArtists #BeaverlodgeArt #BIPANSupportServices

Parvati Mehmi, also known as Parvati The Art Pixie, is a transgender and disabled multidisciplinary artist with strong ties to her Indian heritage. Through her art, she explores themes of culture, identity, resistance, and social justice. Rang De Basanti is a poignant poem that reflects on the artist’s connection to the rich and revolutionary history of India, while also addressing the ongoing struggles for visibility and acceptance faced by marginalized communities.

The poem centers on the symbolic color vermillion (Basanti), which represents revolution, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of resistance. It weaves together the legacies of the Bhakti Movement and iconic freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Chandra Shekhar Azad, while also recognizing the historical erasure and resilience of the Hijra community. The poem is a celebration of the power of love, courage, and defiance, honoring those who have fought for the right to exist and be heard.
Explore Parvati’s work in Vol 13, Page 35.

ID: A red magazine spread featuring white lettering, with a photograph of Parvati The Art Pixie at the top. The bold red background creates a striking contrast with the clean, white text, drawing attention to the artist’s work and their story. The photograph adds a personal touch, connecting the artist to the powerful themes explored in the spread.

Black History Month 2025: The Ties That Bind Us

This February, join us in celebrating the strength, resilience, and cultural contributions of Black communities across the prairies. Presented by the Grande Prairie Intercultural Association, the Grande Prairie Public Library, and local community partners, we invite you to engage in a series of meaningful events.

Event 1: Opening Ceremony – Rice, Black Hair and Power
Date: February 1, 1–3 PM | Location: Rotary Room, Grande Prairie Public Library
A vibrant opening with proclamations from local leaders, cultural performances, a Jollof tasting, a hair braiding demonstration, and a panel discussion featuring community voices.
✨Register through the link in bio

Event 2: Art Exhibition – Community Over Empire: The Line That Divides
Exhibition Dates: January 17 – February 28
Opening Reception: February 7, 7–9 PM | Location: Centre for Creative Arts
Explore the dynamic works of local artists and designers, reflecting on African and African Diaspora heritage. FREE to attend, no registration required.

Event 3: Gala Celebration
Date: March 1, 4:30–11 PM | Location: Paradise Inn
A reflective yet celebratory evening featuring a mixer, dinner, entertainment, fashion show, and a keynote address by Dr. Ivy Francis-Akolo, focusing on empowerment and community.
✨Register through the link in bio

Accessibility Notes:
Wheelchair accessible
Masking is optional but encouraged
Gender-neutral washrooms
Close to transit

#BlackHistoryMonth #GrandePrairie #GrandePrairiePublicLibrary #BIPANSupportServices #BHMGP #M3MStudios #GrandePrairieInterculturalAssociation #CentreForCreativeArtsGP

ID IN ALT TEXT & COMMENTS

Qaila Walji (she/her) is a queer South Asian-Canadian artist born and raised in Moh’kinstsis. A passionate advocate for radical social change, Qaila loves journaling, painting, and creating art that challenges the status quo. She graduated from Carleton University and plans to continue her journey of learning and unlearning through reading, listening, and traveling. This is her first submission to BIPAN Magazine.

Explore Qaila’s work in Vol 13, Page 37.

Image description: A photograph of the magazine open to Qaila’s work. She created a collage on multicolored paper, incorporating a poem made from words cut out of a magazine. The poem reads: “with love and anger, with all my radical affection, revolution revolution, earthshaking Liberation.” The poem is surrounded by images of people, conveying a sense of connection and collective liberation.

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