Dearest Gentle Reader,
Lady Yosidown is back with the latest edition of the Asper Scoop. The summer social season is upon us, and what a splendid season it promises to be! As we bid the NHL season and June adieu (my condolences to the Oilers fans), we turn our attention to a most delightful phenomenon: BRAT summer! Yes, dear reader, this season we are painting the town green. This is the summer to venture out, meet intriguing new people, and indulge in exciting new experiences.
Apart from prepping for BRAT Summer, June was dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous communities. Winnipeg came alive with vibrant colours, compelling stories, and a spirit of inclusion. I had the privilege of interviewing Feather Talia and Winnie Carey, whose work has profoundly enriched our community.
Without further ado, I present to you the June edition of the Asper Scoop: Celebrating Pride and Heritage
Feather Talia: A Voice for the Rez Kids
Feather Talia, a two-spirited Indigenous person from the Treaty 4 land of the Muskoka First Nations in Saskatchewan, began their drag journey eight years ago on a dare and never looked back. Ever since, they have fallen in love with the art of drag, finding it to be an opportunity to combine their passions for beading, fashion, and music into one persona.
Seeking a larger Indigenous queer community, Feather moved to Winnipeg, leaving behind Regina’s limited drag scene, where they often felt ostracized as the token Indigenous queen. In Winnipeg, Feather discovered a bustling Indigenous drag scene with over 40 Indigenous performers, a stark contrast to their previous experience. They quickly felt embraced by the local Indigenous queer community, especially when Prairie Sky, a local Indigenous drag icon, opened her home to Feather for two years.
Feather’s Indigenous identity is paramount to them, and they proudly incorporate their culture, history, and community into their drag. Inspired by fellow Indigenous drag artists like Prairie Sky, Vida Lamour, and Anita Stallion, Feather co-founded the Bannock Babes, a collective of Indigenous drag performers dedicated to showcasing Indigenous pride and culture. What began as a whim quickly led to the Bannock Babes becoming a local staple, even receiving legislative recognition for their tremendous work. The Bannock Babes provided Feather and its members with renewed purpose and a revitalized passion for drag.
June holds special significance for Feather as it is both Indigenous History Month and 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Growing up, Feather lacked two-spirit performers to look up to, and now they feel a responsibility to be that representation for Indigenous kids in Manitoba. Feather’s drag performances are dedicated to the “rez kids” and those in foster care, reflecting their upbringing and aiming to demonstrate that success, beauty, and wholeness are achievable despite systemic challenges.
Feather emphasizes the importance of providing Indigenous and queer youth with hope and representation. “When we’re performing, we’re storytellers, we’re giving medicine in the form of laughter, and we’re showcasing our culture,” they explain. While being a local icon comes with its share of harassment and hate messages, Feather remains undeterred, committed to spreading joy and hope across Canada.
To better support and include two-spirited and Indigenous peoples, Feather urges society to understand historical wrongs, view stories from new perspectives, and hold people accountable. They advise those feeling isolated to seek out or create their own communities, emphasizing, “Community doesn’t stop where you are; go out and look for it because it’s there, and everyone deserves to feel that sense of community and being understood.”
Feather’s journey from the outskirts of the drag scene to becoming a beacon of hope for Indigenous and queer youth is a testament to their resilience and the transformative power of community. Their unwavering dedication to showcasing Indigenous culture through drag has inspired many and provided a sense of belonging for those who feel marginalized. As Feather continues to make waves, they remind us all of the importance of representation and the profound impact it can have on the next generation.
Winnie Carey: Creating Visibility at Asper
Winnie Carey is a fourth-year marketing student at the Asper School of Business who wasn’t always as socially involved as she is today. Starting university during the pandemic, Winnie found it challenging to join student groups and make friends. As she approached the midst of her degree, she realized the need to build connections and sought new outlets to get involved.
In her search, Winnie met Asper alumni Ashleigh Laubstedt (‘24), the founder of the University of Manitoba Queer Asper Students (UMQAS), the queer business student group at Asper. Inspired by Ashleigh’s initiative to change the faculty’s narrative, Winnie quickly became involved, unexpectedly stepping into the Vice President role when the original VP had to step down. Winnie also found community in the Rainbow Pride Club (RPC) as the VP of Communications and works at Uphouse, a queer-owned marketing company.
Winnie emphasizes the importance of UMQAS and queer visibility within Asper. Unlike other faculties that had queer student groups for years, Asper lacked such representation despite having several queer students and professors. UMQAS aims to create a space where queer individuals not only exist safely but are also vibrant and integral parts of the faculty. Thanks to Ashliegh’s persistence, there is now a queer representative on the CSA general council for the first time, amplifying queer voices and fostering connections.
As the acting president of UMQAS, Winnie juggles various responsibilities, ensuring her team is supported and fostering communication with other faculties and student groups. Her main goal is to raise UMQAS’s profile among students and businesses. One major accomplishment UMQAS looks forward to is organizing Pride Week in September to welcome new and returning students with the message that there is a safe space for them at Asper. It’s also an opportunity to create connections between students at Asper and queer businesses. Winnie believes in blending Winnipeg’s strong business community with its vibrant queer community, highlighting their similarities and overlaps. Often the queer community gets overlooked or perceived as unprofessional in the business world. UMQAS aims to change this narrative by fostering connections with queer business owners so students know that they not only exist but thrive in Winnipeg and across Canada.
Winnie stresses the importance of having a safe space at Asper, noting that having a community that understands you is invaluable. Her advice to students is to get involved and reach out, as it leads to meaningful connections and friendships. To get involved with UMQAS, students can reach out via DM on Instagram @umqas.asper and attend events. The next UMQAS meeting is on July 6, an open meeting for queer students and allies to learn and create a community. Winnie and the UMQAS team are eager to hear students’ voices and perspectives to create the most authentic experience possible.
See You Next Month <3
And with that, we wrap up our June edition of The Asper Scoop! Thank you to Feather Talia and Winnie Carey for sharing your stories with us. And how could I forget about my lovely readers? Thank you for reading, I truly appreciate it, and stay tuned for next month’s edition!
Pookie Out ✌️