Three flags now fly over Moose Jaw to celebrate diversity and inclusivity this Pride Week.

Sunday evening, Moose Jaw Pride held their own flag raising ceremony at the Crescent Park amphitheater. With help from dignitaries and special guests, the organization held a spiritual event to kick-off this week's celebrations.

Dickie Yuzicapi SR, and Indigenous Cultural Advisor was there to hold the smudging ceremony and bless the flag raising. He also made a song for the event.

"Great Mystery, a great thing is happening today," the song went. "The Dakota people are calling all the two-spirited to come home. Together we are the rainbow people and together we live in the sacred circle."

Yuzicapi said he was asked to hold a prayer for the ceremony also, but he said he was praying ever since he got to the ceremony.

Dickie Yuzicapi SR singing the song he created for Pride Week.

"What this is, is we're bringing our people home. Joining us, and we're welcoming them back within our families, within our circle, within the circle of life," Yuzicapi said. "That's what this means. This is what this is, this is what pride is."

Special guests and dignitaries were invited to come to share their words and send their best regards for the week.

Not everyone could make it, but MLA for Regina Lakeview Carla Beck, City Councillor Crystal Froese, Chief of Police Rick Bourassa, and Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association's Chair Lori Deets all gave special addresses to those attending.

MLA Moose Jaw Wakamow Greg Lawrence, MP Tom Lukiwski,  and Prairie South School Division Executive Director Tony Baldwin all couldn't make it to the event but still sent their regards and sent statements for the week.

Crescent Park amphitheater.

"As a community, we're coming together this week to have fun and to raise awareness around the principle that our community welcomes everyone," Joe Wickenhauser, Executive Director of MJ Pride said. "This principle of inclusion is one which we as citizens must embrace and celebrate not only during Pride Week but every day of the year."

Two flags were raised at Crescent Park to signify separate things. An LGBTQ flag was raised to celebrate sexual diversity, and a transgender flag was raised to celebrate gender diversity.

Monday morning, 15 Wing also raised a flag in honour of Pride Week. This is the second time the base has done so, as they were one of the first military bases to raise one in 2016.

"It's really neat when a group takes initiative and becomes a first and you know it's a new thing and that can be difficult," Wickenhauser expressed. "We know that there has been a very difficult relationship between LGBTQ people and the military in the past, so I think now we're just looking at how do we find ways to mend those bridges and build safer and more welcoming spaces within the air force, base, and the military community."

All flags will be flying for the majority of the week and will come down on Saturday when the Pride Parade hits Main Street.

"We're remembering that diversity exists in small communities," Wickenhauser said. "It's not just a thing that they have in Toronto or Montreal, but gender and sexually diverse people live in all communities, in all places, at all times, in every culture throughout human history."