LGBT rally appeals to AFN candidates for end to discrimination

The Assembly of First Nations meeting in Winnipeg to elect a new national chief was also the backdrop for a rally advocating for First Nations lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or two-spirit people.

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"Today is a rally where we've asked the candidates for national chief to respond to a recommendation they made in 2001 to end the discrimination against two-spirited people," said Albert McLeod, co-director of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.

"We want to make historyin terms of, as indigenous people, we have human rights, too, whether we're lesbian, gay, bisexual trans or straight," he said.

He said PerryBellegardedid respond with a letter, and thathe spoke to the other two candidates,GhislainPicardand LeonJourdaine, recommendingthe AFN establish a two-spirit council and encourage the creation of a similar council at the community level so that First Nations people can represent themselves and advocate for their needs.