A Pride flag was painted on First Nations University of Canada’s northern campus window in response to a flag burning in Prince Albert this week.(Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Supporting LGBTQ

P.A. resident standing up for LGBTQ+ community after pride flags burned

Oct 1, 2021 | 4:09 PM

A Prince Albert resident is hoping to raise the spirits of the local LGBTQ+ community after they were the target of a potential hate crime.

On Tuesday, someone climbed the garage of a residence near Branion Drive and McKay Drive and burned two pride flags.

Cheryl Murphy, a student at the First Nations University of Canada’s northern campus in PA, wanted to do something to show support as one of her friends identifies as two-spirited.

She told paNOW she ended up contacting the school’s northern student association who agreed to paint a pride flag along with the message ‘pride, equality, love, hope’ on one of their windows.

“We stand beside you,” said Murphy.

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“Yes, this terrible event happened but not everybody feels that way.”

The school association was in the middle of painting crosswalks orange to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

When asked to paint the pride flag, they immediately jumped on the opportunity.

Murphy was proud to see Indigenous people take time from their own fight for equality to help another community also fighting to be treated equally.

“We want everybody to feel comfortable in Prince Albert and in our school. Why are we going backward, we need to go forwards.”

Before it was created, she reached out to her two-spirited friend wanting them to know first as they were very uncomfortable after the incident.

“They were really emotional, very humbled that we thought of them and wanted to do something.”

The kind act also grabbed the attention of Prince Albert Pride.

Through a post made on Facebook, they thanked the student association for the small gesture.

They also shared thoughts on the damage hate-filled crimes can have on the LGBTQ+ community.

“We feel sad for those hurt, we get scared for our own safety, and we hope those who are involved find healing, both the victims and the perpetrators,” the Facebook post read.

“Those who attack also need to find help to open their hearts and minds to what they are doing that causes harm, whether intentional or not.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Prince Albert Police Service confirmed they are investigating the flag-burning incident.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow