Recipient reflects on YMCA Peace Medal Award – Sault Star

Theodore Syrette is a recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal. He encourages others to nominate those who have helped their community.

September 3, 2019

Before western colonization of what is now Canada, some Indigenous tribes used to celebrate same-sex attraction and transgender folk.

Theodore Syrette felt racism and oppression growing up for being queer and Indigenous, and struggled finding spaces that are safe and comfortable to be their true self.

“Contact with western influences on Indigenous people changed the way gay people are valued in Indigenous society,” said Syrette.

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