The Grande Prairie Pride Society is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to serving as the primary source for 2SLGBTQIA+ activities and events in Grande Prairie. Operating year-round, the society focuses on planning and executing Pride celebrations to honor the diversity of the northern community. Their mission is to create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, promote equality, and celebrate the diversity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
The society also acknowledges the importance of inclusivity and respect for Indigenous communities. They honor and respect that their activities are located on Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral and present-day home to many diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
The Grande Prairie Pride Society continues to be a cornerstone in promoting acceptance and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the region.
My name is Amber Chenard (she/her) and I proudly serve as the president of the Grande Prairie Pride Society, which I have been part of since 2022. Beyond my involvement with Pride, I am a psychologist and a cat mom of three. My professional background encompasses non-profit work, domestic violence advocacy, and mental health services. I’ve had the privilege of leading and participating in numerous inclusive initiatives within our community and across Alberta. Supporting vulnerable populations and fostering a sense of community are passions close to my heart. I am deeply grateful to be part of the Grande Prairie Pride Society and to witness the growing 2SLGBTQIA+ pride within our northern Alberta community each year.
Hi everyone! I’m a bisexual, cisgender woman (she/her) and I’m so excited to join the Grande Prairie Pride Society board. After spending 20 years in Vancouver, I made the jump to GP three years ago. Settling into a new city comes with a learning curve, but finding this community has made GP truly start feeling like home. My background started in Esthetics straight out of high school, which I continued for 23 years, upgrading my skills over time to become an Aromatherapist and Reiki practitioner. That work taught me so much about how to make people feel comfortable, safe, and confident about themselves. Once my body decided it needed a break, I moved into management, and now account controlling—leaning into my other love, which is numbers and organizing data! I joined the board because I want to help create safe, welcoming, inclusive spaces in GP, and to be a part of a community that brings real joy. Outside of work, I live a delightfully witchy life! I’m an avid crystal collector always on the hunt for my next treasure, an essential oil enthusiast, and a tarot reader. I’m also a cat mom to two black cats named after crystals—Onyx and Moonstone—who supply endless cuddles. Sunshine is my favourite and you’ll often find me in the last patch of sunlight reading a book at the end of the day. I can’t wait to work alongside this incredible team and meet more of you at our upcoming events!
Christa (she/her) was born and raised in the Grande Prairie area.
She is a parent, yoga instructor, actor, avid reader, gamer, and karaoke lover.
When Christa was younger, Pride was not something that was mentioned much in this area. She witnessed queer friends being teased, taunted, and assaulted. Many chose to move away from Grande Prairie.
Even though the population in Grande Prairie has doubled in the past 20 years, it was and still is predominantly conservative and can feel unsafe and unwelcoming to various minorities.
For the past few years, Christa has been volunteering at Pride Society events to support this organisation in bringing Pride to our community. These events give our queer friends, family, and neighbours a space where they feel loved and accepted.
Christa is very excited to be on the board of the Grande Prairie Pride Society, becoming even more involved with this organisation and the events and efforts it offers to our community. Strides have certainly been made over the decades, but there is still so much work to do.
Hello. I am a time traveller. I come from the 80s and 90s. I grew up at Five Mile Creek, just east of Grande Prairie. Knowing that I was “different”, I learned to hide who I was, until I could escape. That escape was to university in Edmonton. There I began the coming out process, discovering a world that I belonged in.
When offered a job right out of university, although it was in GP, I took it. Returning to GP meant exposing myself, at least somewhat. But I was not going to hide or pretend. So, along with a colleague, we ran a queer social group for a few years. I became a queer activist, provincially and internationally.
I was also a founding member of the South Peace AIDS Council, now known as North Reach Society. During my term at Grande Prairie Regional College, I fought to get same-sex spousal benefits, to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination harassment policy, made attempts to form an on-campus queer group, among other initiatives.
I have been with my partner of 33 years, and although my academic career came to a halt, we remain happy living in Grande Prairie. I joined the board of the GP Pride Society in 2021, partly in response to a resurgence of hate, and partly to re-ignite my involvement in the community to continue to help in paving the road forward for others in the community to feel comfortable in who and what they are, to find their representation, to know the community is safe and caring.
I miss the friends and lovers from the 80s and 90s, many who passed away from complications due to AIDS, and others who have simply moved on the other places. But I have a home here with my spouse, our friends, and the wonderful families we build by taking in and homing “kids” in need. And I am proud to be on the board of the GP Pride Society. Feel free to find me and chat, I have a million stories to share.
Natal joined the board at 2025 AGM as Grande Prairie Pride Society’s secretary.
Rebecca joined the Board in May 2026 as a director.
Hello! I’m Justin, and I’m excited to serve as Treasurer of the Pride Society. I joined the board to immerse myself in new experiences within the community and to support fellow members who share similar journeys.
When I’m not balancing the books (or trying to keep my gaming skills sharp), you can find me indulging in a bit of retail therapy, enjoying cozy evenings with my family, or planning my next camping adventure. Oh, and I have a knack for crafting and decorating, so if you ever need a DIY project buddy, I’m your guy!
My goal as a board member is to be an active member of our community and to create an approachable, safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns.
Welcome to the Grande Prairie Pride Society Board of Directors Application Form. Once submitted, a member of our board will be in touch with you to discuss your application with you.
Our Mandate: The Grande Prairie Pride Society is Grande Prairie’s primary source for 2SLGBTQIA+ activities and events. We are volunteer-run and work year-round to plan and execute Grande Prairie’s Pride, as a way to celebrate our northern community’s diversity.
The Grande Prairie Pride Society aims to create safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, as well as to promote equality and to celebrate the diversity of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
The Grande Prairie Pride Society is an operational board, involving hands-on volunteer work by our board members. The Board of Directors has a monthly two-hour meeting in addition to time commitments to relevant tasks for ongoing events and initiatives.
No current open board positions – applications received prior to availability will be contacted once a position opens
