October 19, 2024
Manitoba Premier Celebrates Boys with Braids Event
The Manitoba government contributed $38,900 towards today’s Winnipeg Boys with Braids event hosted by Ka Ni Kanichihk at the RBC Convention Centre, announced Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation.
“The Boys with Braids movement is great way for our youth to connect with and find community in our culture and traditions,” said Kinew. “By encouraging youth to reconnect with culture that grounds us and connects us to our ancestors, we can put more young Manitobans on the path to succeed.”
The Boys with Braids movement was started by Michael Linklater, who is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan, in response to his and his sons’ experiences of teasing and bullying for choosing to grow their hair long. Linklater’s goal with the Boys with Braids initiative is to raise awareness and create understanding of the cultural significance of why Indigenous men, boys, two‑spirited and non-binary peoples wear braids.
“These gatherings a very important. Our ancestors had long hair and during the residential school era our relatives didn’t have a choice to keep those traditions,” said Linklater. “Today, there are many who choose to honour their inherent and traditional way of life by growing their hair, and for some, they are teased and bullied to the point of cutting their hair. These gatherings help to encourage and support these young people on their journey of strengthening their connection to the culture.”
The premier attended today’s event to celebrate the Boys with Braids national campaign in recognition of the traditional practice of Indigenous men and boys wearing braids as a show of strength, resilience and cultural pride. The event included a highlight of Indigenous men and boys who have participated in the Boys with Braids campaign and shared photos of their braided hair, as well as contests with categories such as neatest braid and longest braid. Following some cultural teachings about the significance of braids, participants walked to the Legislative Building for closing remarks from Kinew as well as prayers and songs with elders, and the event concluded with a feast for participants.
“Boys with Braids Winnipeg is grateful for the support from Premier Kinew, who is the highest profile braided man in Manitoba and possibly Canada,” said Cecil Sveinson, spokesperson for Boys with Braids Winnipeg. “Joining the premier were other men with braids from varying backgrounds including a physician, a lawyer and a journalist. All these folks are coming forward to serve as role models to the young people and show them they can achieve whatever they want in life.”
To learn more about the Boys with Braids national campaign or to post a photo, visit www.facebook.com/boyswithbraidsteachings or use the hashtags #BoysWithBraids, #BoysWithBraidsWinnipeg and #BoysWithBraidsManitoba.
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