‘Frank’s story has not been forgotten in Fort Smith’

Warning: This report includes a mention of self-harm and suicide.

Fort Smith’s Ryker Lonehardt is committed to create a safe space where everyone can be seen, heard, and accepted for who they truly are – this Pride month and beyond.

As a 17-year-old, Lonehardt organized Fort Smith’s first Frank Gruben Pride Festival last June. The event was partly intended to highlight the search for Frank Gruben, a Gwich’in-Inuvialuk man from Aklavik and member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Frank was last seen in Fort Smith, where he was attending college, on May 6, 2023. Despite weeks of investigation and community-led searches, there has been little to no update on his whereabouts.

“Frank’s story has not been forgotten here in Smith,” Lonehardt said.

“As a trans person, right after his disappearance, I was such on edge. At that point, I was fairly new coming out. I was 16 when that happened.

“The majority of people here are kind, open and accepting. But it’s just difficult when the ones who aren’t can often be more assertive of their opinion. It’s tricky because even recently, I have had people call me slurs.”

Lonehardt wants to foster understanding and build a space where 2SLGBTQ+ individuals feel respected and supported.

Given the town’s large queer population and its role as home to Aurora College’s main campus, he said it is time to push for acceptance.

‘Being accepted as a guy’

Lonehardt was raised Pentecostal and home-schooled until the age of 15. Growing up, he said, he heard stories of individuals being forced out of their family homes because of their gender, trans identity or sexuality – and even saw that happen to people close to him.

Those topics remained unfamiliar to Lonehardt for much of his adolescence. While gaining knowledge of that turned to be “very much a culture shock,” he said it encouraged him to do everything in his power to help queer people in the community.

“It’s really scary and this hits close to home. I don’t want that to happen to other young queer people in this community, or really anyone for that matter,” he said.

“If that’s not your thing, that’s fine. Just don’t be hateful. It’s like, we’re not trying to indoctrinate your kids. We’re just trying to educate and create a welcoming space for everybody. Inclusion doesn’t hurt anybody.”

Lonehardt came out as non-binary when he was 15.

It wasn’t until 2023’s Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray when Lonehardt had his “first real experience being accepted as a guy” – a turning point that marked the beginning of his transition journey. He won a bronze medal in banked slalom, a snowboarding event.

Over the years, Lonehardt has dealt with a self-harm addiction and ADHD. In September, after a suicide attempt by overdose, he said he had to call 911 for help.

Then, Lonehardt decided to become a member of the town fire hall to assist people through emergencies and increase queer representation within the department.

June is Lonehardt’s eighth month on testosterone treatment. Having access to the necessary medication and gender-affirming care helped Lonehardt cope with what once felt overwhelming, he said, and he now wants to help others who may be at a similar stage in life by being vocal about his struggles.

This summer, he is looking forward to receiving his emergency medical responder upgrade. He plans to graduate high school next year.

“I have scars all up my left arm and I don’t hide them. I try to have it open. I have them out just to be like: ‘Hey, I am an open person here,'” Lonehardt said.

“I am not self-harming as much, I’m not self-sabotaging as much. It finally feels like I’m me for the first time in my life.”

Pride parade and events

Lonehardt feels grateful to Town of Fort Smith staff who have taken steps to increase visibility for queer individuals and support the community’s Pride events.

The town has approved the painting of a rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of McDougal Road and Breynat Street. While volunteers are still waiting on supplies, the crosswalk is intended to be painted in time for the town’s Pride parade.

Lonehardt and others have been fundraising for the festival, which is set to run from June 13-15, in the hope that the 2025 turnout will be as big as last year.

On Saturday, June 14, the parade is scheduled from 12:30-1pm, starting at the community recreation centre and ending at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena, where a gathering will continue until 6pm.

The arena event begins with an opening prayer followed by a drum circle, words from Frank’s mother Laura Kalinek, drag performances and a bingo. Jewellery-making and nail polish-painting stations incorporate activities Frank enjoyed and might want to see at the festival, according to Lonehardt.

Drag artists are expected to perform at the arena, with two or three flying in from Yellowknife. The Pelican Inn has provided rooms for their stay.

A 19-plus event featuring four drag performers will run at Dirty O’Fergie’s from 9pm till 12am the same day. A rainbow storytime session will follow at the Mary Kaeser Library on Sunday.

Northern Mosaic Network will host facilitated events throughout the weekend.

“I am doing my best to support my trans brothers and sisters,” Lonehardt said.

“I’m very grateful that I’m in a place where I can help people – whether that be through firefighting, being a first responder, just being around for people to talk – despite the struggles I have had over my short 18 years of life.”