The Grande Prairie Pride Society is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to serving as the primary source for 2SLGBTQIA+ activities and events in Grande Prairie. Operating year-round, the society focuses on planning and executing Pride celebrations to honor the diversity of the northern community. Their mission is to create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, promote equality, and celebrate the diversity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
In 2024, Erica Fisher, the President of the Grande Prairie Pride Society, was recognized as the Individual Volunteer of the Year by the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations. This acknowledgment highlights her significant contributions to the community through her leadership roles and advocacy efforts within the society and other local organizations.
The society also acknowledges the importance of inclusivity and respect for Indigenous communities. They honor and respect that their activities are located on Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral and present-day home to many diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
The Grande Prairie Pride Society continues to be a cornerstone in promoting acceptance and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the region.
My name is Amber Chenard (she/her) and I proudly serve as the co-president of the Grande Prairie Pride Society, which I have been part of since 2022. Beyond my involvement with Pride, I am a psychologist and a cat mom of three. My professional background encompasses non-profit work, domestic violence advocacy, and mental health services. I’ve had the privilege of leading and participating in numerous inclusive initiatives within our community and across Alberta. Supporting vulnerable populations and fostering a sense of community are passions close to my heart. I am deeply grateful to be part of the Grande Prairie Pride Society and to witness the growing 2SLGBTQIA+ pride within our northern Alberta community each year.
My name is Johnathan Clarkson, and I am proud to serve as the General Manager of Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park. For the past 19 years, I have been part of the management team, contributing to the growth and success of this non-profit, community-owned facility. Grande Prairie has been my home since my parents moved us here in 1988, and I have always felt deeply connected to this community.
In my current role, I’ve had the privilege of leading Nitehawk through some significant challenges, including a landslide in May 2020 that rendered our ski hill’s chairlift inoperable, as well as navigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I oversee a dedicated team of about 80 part-time seasonal and 25 full-time staff members, along with many incredible volunteers. Together, we’ve continued to make Nitehawk a place for community connection, with events like our Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser, the Ski & Snowboard Swap, many Lesson Programs & Camps year-round, and seven annual Trail Running Races. Managing our offsite facility, Bear Paw Par 3 Golf Course, is also part of my teams work to ensure we’re offering year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.
My personal journey has shaped much of who I am today. Growing up in Grande Prairie, I didn’t feel safe to be my true self and stayed closeted throughout my youth and into my 20s. At 32, I finally came out to my family, friends, and coworkers. It was one of the hardest but most liberating moments of my life. And after many difficult conversations and buckets of tears of relief, I was grateful to be met with love and acceptance from those who love me, which gave me the courage to embrace who I truly am.
In 2014, I met my now-husband Lonnie, and over the past 11 years, we’ve built a life filled with love and companionship. Early in my coming-out journey, I often reflected on the hope of one day finding someone who loved me for me and building a life together. Though we don’t have children, our Yorkie, Puzzle, fills our home with joy and love.
My personal experiences inspired me to get involved with the Grande Prairie Pride Society. For the past three years, I’ve served as a Board Member, then Vice President, and now Co-President. I wanted to help make Grande Prairie a safer, more inclusive, and accepting City for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Witnessing the impact of initiatives like the Rainbow Bright Teen Dance, which provides a safe space for youth to be themselves, has been incredibly rewarding. Other highlights include our annual Rainbow Crosswalk Painting, the Party in White, and the Pride Family Carnival, which have all seen increased attendance, support, and sponsorships year after year. Despite the challenges of increasing hate speech, discrimination and the need for even more advocacy, our GP Pride Society Board of Directors and I are committed to ensuring the events we host feel safe, and that all residents feel valued, and included.
Beyond my work with Nitehawk and the Pride Society, I am honored to have served on the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association Board for nine years, including three years as Treasurer and six years as President. I’m also currently a Director on the Canada West Ski Areas Association Board, where I’ve helped organize fundraising efforts for the Small Ski Areas Assistance Fund, raising $40,000 last year to support ski areas across Western Canada.
In the past, I dedicated 15 years to the Grande Prairie Ski Patrol, providing first-aid services at various community and regional events and assisting with fundraising efforts. I’ve also volunteered as a medical support team member at the North Country Fair, and contributed to community events like the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, 2024 Alberta Winter Games, National Native Fastball Championships, Rotary Rib Fest, and the Terry Fox Run.
Looking back, my journey has been one of growth, resilience, and finding ways to create positive change in the community I love and call home. I believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and celebrated for who they are, and I’m committed to making that vision a reality wherever I can.
Hi! My name is Dani (She/Them). I am new to the Pride board, and excited to be a part! I am a parent to 6 fantastic children, a full-time student finishing my Bachelor’s of Indigenous Social Work, and a front line worker to some of our city’s most vulnerable population. Pride is important to me because in the absence of pride, often exists shame. I have spent too long being ashamed of who I am and who I love. I am excited to be a part of events that bring our city together in celebration of love, inclusion and a deep sense of pride!
My name is Dani Tarini (she/her), and I have been a member on the GP Pride Board since Dec of 2023, and am currently in the Secretary role. I am a busy mom of 6 kiddos (aged 11-16), an entrepreneur, and a lover of curling up by the fire with my family and fur babies. When our queer/polyamourous family moved from Northern Ontario to Northern Alberta in the summer of 2023, we were nervous about how well we would be welcomed with being an atypical family of 9. Upon arriving, we have been incredibly impressed with our ‘Coming Out’; from the schools, workplaces, and community in general here in Grande Prairie. Joining the Pride Board for me, was an important part of our family connecting with the 2SLGBTQAI+ Community, and seeing what our new city had to offer for this same community. It was also my way of ensuring that members of our family (including myself), and many others in our community have a safe space to be themselves. After having been to my first Party in White, Teen Dance and Family Carnival, I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing team and organization!
Hello. I am a time traveller. I come from the 80s and 90s. I grew up at Five Mile Creek, just east of Grande Prairie. Knowing that I was “different”, I learned to hide who I was, until I could escape. That escape was to university in Edmonton. There I began the coming out process, discovering a world that I belonged in.
When offered a job right out of university, although it was in GP, I took it. Returning to GP meant exposing myself, at least somewhat. But I was not going to hide or pretend. So, along with a colleague, we ran a queer social group for a few years. I became a queer activist, provincially and internationally.
I was also a founding member of the South Peace AIDS Council, now known as North Reach Society. During my term at Grande Prairie Regional College, I fought to get same-sex spousal benefits, to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination harassment policy, made attempts to form an on-campus queer group, among other initiatives.
I have been with my partner of 33 years, and although my academic career came to a halt, we remain happy living in Grande Prairie. I joined the board of the GP Pride Society in 2021, partly in response to a resurgence of hate, and partly to re-ignite my involvement in the community to continue to help in paving the road forward for others in the community to feel comfortable in who and what they are, to find their representation, to know the community is safe and caring.
I miss the friends and lovers from the 80s and 90s, many who passed away from complications due to AIDS, and others who have simply moved on the other places. But I have a home here with my spouse, our friends, and the wonderful families we build by taking in and homing “kids” in need. And I am proud to be on the board of the GP Pride Society. Feel free to find me and chat, I have a million stories to share.
Jolene is a powerhouse of love, resilience, and sarcasm. A proud mother of three daughters, grandma to one grandson (who’s clearly the favorite), and the queen of juggling absolute chaos with her partner Ada.
She’s a queer, disabled, and Indigenous dynamo who is rewriting the rulebook on what it means to live authentically and unapologetically and carries a legacy of resilience and strength, while also proving that “disabled” does not mean “disqualified from being fabulous.”
She’s proud to be a part of a board filled with incredible humans, championing the kind of love, diversity, and joy this community needs. Together, they’ll make sure Pride isn’t just an event—it’s a way of life.
When she’s not dreaming up some fun queer events that bring people together, you’ll find her down at the river, supporting her friends and family however she can, and fighting the patriarchy. Oh, and reminding everyone that mom is always right.
And remember: “We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.” — Elliot Page
My name is Joshua Winland, and I’m 22 years old. I’ve been a drag performer for about 5 years, and I am honored to serve as the Vice President of the Grande Prairie Pride Society Board alongside the co-presidents. I’m excited to bring my unique energy and vision to the board, contributing to the growth and inclusivity of our community.
I bring an open-minded and upbeat attitude to my role. Having witnessed the incredible progress and events that have shaped Grande Prairie, I felt it was the right time to step up and add my own “Joshua spice” to the mix. As a drag performer, I connect with people through art and entertainment, using my platform to spread joy and build a stronger, more united community.
Drag is a huge part of who I am—it’s my passion and my form of self-expression. It allows me to explore different sides of my identity while bringing smiles to people’s faces. I believe life is too short to get hung up on the little things, and drag helps me live that philosophy every day. My goal is to spread love, kindness, and positivity in all that I do.
Pride means the world to me. It’s about honoring the brave individuals who fought for our rights in the past, making it possible for us to be who we are today. Pride is not only a celebration of our history, but also a look forward to the future, and a reminder of how much further we can go. As a person who grew up as a little gay boy on a chicken farm, I’m now a drag queen spreading love and kindness. I’m excited to sit on the Pride Board and help pave the way for everyone to be included in the wonderful journey we call life.
Hello! I’m Justin, and I’m excited to serve as Treasurer of the Pride Society. I joined the board to immerse myself in new experiences within the community and to support fellow members who share similar journeys.
When I’m not balancing the books (or trying to keep my gaming skills sharp), you can find me indulging in a bit of retail therapy, enjoying cozy evenings with my family, or planning my next camping adventure. Oh, and I have a knack for crafting and decorating, so if you ever need a DIY project buddy, I’m your guy!
My goal as a board member is to be an active member of our community and to create an approachable, safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns.
Welcome to the Grande Prairie Pride Society Board of Directors Application Form. Once submitted, a member of our board will be in touch with you to discuss your application with you.
Our Mandate: The Grande Prairie Pride Society is Grande Prairie’s primary source for 2SLGBTQIA+ activities and events. We are volunteer-run and work year-round to plan and execute Grande Prairie’s Pride, as a way to celebrate our northern community’s diversity.
The Grande Prairie Pride Society aims to create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, as well as to promote equality and to celebrate the diversity of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
