From the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, emerges a woman whose resilience and advocacy have carved out a path of courage, compassion, and transformation. Shandi Strong is not only a powerful voice for transgender rights in Canada, but a symbol of what it means to rebuild a life with fierce authenticity and tender hope. As a public speaker, author, photographer, musician, and dedicated community leader, Shandi's journey is one of deep losses and even deeper triumphs. Crowned as the first transgender Grand Marshal of the Winnipeg Pride Parade in 2015, honored with the Trail Blazer Award by the Winnipeg LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, and currently serving in multiple leadership roles, Advocacy Coordinator for Pride Winnipeg, Executive Secretary for Manitobans For Human Rights Inc., and a constituency assistant at the Manitoba Legislature, Shandi has committed her life to lifting others even as she walked through her own storms.
Her story, detailed in a forthcoming book and widely shared across Canadian media, is a mosaic of personal reinvention, political ambition, and quiet grace. From performing live music at Pride events to organizing Winnipeg’s first Trans March, she embodies the beautiful intersection of creative spirit and civic service. What stands out most, however, is her unwavering belief in the power of visibility, empathy, and the strength found in simply being oneself. In this interview, Shandi speaks openly about her journey, her heartbreaks, her rediscovered connection with her daughters, and her unrelenting hope for the next generation of trans youth. Her words are honest and warm, touched by a lifetime of growth, and a heart that never stopped loving, dreaming, and believing in a better world for all of us.