Our History

Before Us

We acknowledge that our organization would not exist without the advocacy work of the queer people who came before us, especially Two Spirit and Transgender advocates who have always been at the forefront of the queer liberation movement.

2016

A group of community members come together to start planning the first Pride Festival in Fort McMurray under the name Pride YMM.

2017

Pride YMM takes part in the Canada Day Parade and wins best float.

Pride YMM lobbies the RMWB to paint a Rainbow Crosswalk.

Pride YMM hosts the first Pride Festival at Jubilee Square.

The Pride After Party gives birth to the Oil Royals - a local collective of drag performers who go on to create inclusive drag events.

2018

The Wood Buffalo Regional Library partners with local Drag Queen Simma Downe to start Story Time at the End of The Rainbow.

The Oil Royals create the 2SLGBTQ+ Leadership Awards.

Pride YMM Launches the Rainbow Spaces Program.

Baileys Pub Launches Beers for Queers.

WBRL and the Oil Royals organize community events creating the first Pride Week in Fort McMurray.

Community members start the Trans Support Groups.

2019

The RMWB flies the Pride Flag for the first time.

Pride YMM partners with the Oil Royals to deliver the Pride Leadership Awards.

2020

Pride YMM becomes an official non-profit society.

Festivities this year moved online except for the flag raising ceremony.

Pride YMM adopts the trans support groups and offers a virtual GSA.

2021

The Pride Festival outgrows Jubilee Plaza and moves to Shell Place.

Pride YMM hosts their first Two Spirit Event - a live taping of the podcast Two Spirit Tea.

2022

Pride YMM organizes first Family Fun Fair.

Pride YMM hosts events as part of the Arctic Winter Games.

Pride YMM flies the Two Spirit Progress Pride Flag - created by Board Chair Mitchel Bowers

Pride YMM hosts their first Queer Prom.

The Pride Festival moves to its new home at the Heritage Shipyard.

2023

With funding provided by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo , Pride YMM hires its first staff member.

Pride YMM organized a counter protest standing up against transphobia and homophobia.

Binder Swap Program is launched.

2024

Thanks to additional funding, the Pride YMM team expanded to a team of four staff members.

Pride YMM rallied community members to show support for the transgender community.

Pride YMM won the Heart of Wood Buffalo Equity, Diversity, Dignity and Inclusion Award

Members voted to change the name to Wood Buffalo Pride