Flag representing 2 Spirits people of the 1st Nations
© Art Zoccole, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations, www.2spirits.com

Introduction

The term Two-Spirit refers to anyone who identifies themselves as someone with both a feminine and masculine spirit. It can also be considered an umbrella term that includes same-sex attraction and the spectrum of gender variance. It originates from a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term niizh manidoowag.

Two-Spirit is a term that reflects traditional Aboriginal gender diversity and the fluid nature of gender and sexual identity. Certain Indigenous languages have their own proper words for this term. For example, the Native American tribe from North and South Dakota, the Lakota, use the word winkt. This term was chosen to separate Indigenous people from non-Natives from the words "berdache" and "gay." But as many other Indigenous languages revolve more around verbs and describe people by what they do instead of how they identify themselves, they may not have words to describe sexualities.

image from A place in the circle : 2-spirit people seek visibility and supports (CBC)

History

The term Two-Spirit was picked in 1994 at the Annual Native American Gay and Lesbian gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The early populations of First Nation's in North America included Two-Spirit people in many of their respected special roles for their communities and as spiritual leaders. Despite the threats that Indigenous communities have faced from colonization, the Two-Spirit people from across North America are bringing awareness back to it.

Note that this term is limited to people who are part of an Indigenous tribe. Even folks who are generally in the LGBTQ2S+ cannot be Two-Spirit unless they have Indigenous heritage as being attracted to the same sex does not equal to having both a male and female identity and filling both female and male roles in your community.

image from How Indigenous Communities Can Support Two-Spirit People (BGD)

Prejudices they face

The mental, emotional, and physical well-being of many two spirited Indigenous people have been threatened since the colonization of North America. Even to this day, they continue to face homophobia, transphobia, verbal and physical bullying, and rejection from health services. Furthermore, the violence and abuse many LGBTQ2S+ folks are subjected to goes as far to include emotional and sexual abuse, slander, harassment, and robbings. Even people in their youth face these issues, and the level of fear of these events happening is increased among transgender and gender non-conforming people.

There is still a difficulty to recognize suicides committed by Indigenous people because of oppression due to their sexual orientation and gender identification. The oppression and discrimination links to the Christian residential schools many Indigenous people had to go through, that always enforced cisnormativity and heteronormativity. Thus connecting to how some legal systems also demand two spirited people to fit into either male or female. And as many two spirited people are Indigenous, another form of discrimination they face is racism. The amount of hate they face forces them to move and escape. This marginalization causes them issues when trying to receive healthcare, housing, and employment.

Research has found that Two-Spirit people experience much higher rates of poverty, and interruptions to their education because of their sex/gender identity. Aside from a higher rate of impecuniousness, research has discovered the increased vulnerability towards substance abuse and mental health issues among Two-Spirit people. Even within their own cultures, there is a lack of representation for transgender, transsexual and other gender non-conforming Two-Spirit people. The normalized homophobia and transphobia due to cisnormativity and heteronormativity has caused intergenerational trauma within many Indigenous families.

Significant figures and contributions

With the resurging recognition of Two-Spirit people, there has been an increase in artistic expression by the Two-Spirit community. Two-Spirit artists, singers, dancers, and authors are making use of their platforms to tell stories about their experiences, worldviews and identities.

Qwo-Li Driskill
Qwo-Li Driskill is an associate professor at Oregon State University who is affiliated with women, gender, and sexuality studies. Qwo-Li Driskill has multiple awards and recognition for literature and social justice.

Geo Soctomah Neptune
Geo Neptune is a popular Wabanaki Two-Spirit artist who has been working on traditional Wabanaki basket-making since a young age. Neptune has studied and practiced for countless hours to be able to honor and pass forward the heritage, but also to gain peer acceptance.

Chrystos
Menominee poet and social justice advocate. Crystos’ poetry covers the issues of colonization, feminism, Native rights, pride, and justice. Her works include Fire Power (1995), Dream On (1991), and Not Vanishing (1988) and has been featured in, and helped edit anthologies about the experiences of people of colour as well. Chrystos has received honors from poetry competitions, arts grants, and the Sappho Award of Distinction from the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.

Tony Enos
Celebrated two-time Native American Music Awards Nominee, pop artist Tony Enos was named one of "The Native Americans Changing the World," by Ozy Media during March 2021. Tony Enos has become CEO of lil' T Entertainment as a prolific musician and activist who made the Two-Spirit’s movement anthem. Tony Enos constantly and strongly fights for the youth and LGBTQ2S+ community, and HIV/AIDS and domestic violence awareness. As well as bringing attention to Two-Spirit reclamation.Tony Enos’ most recent single is "U=U" from 2021.

Dazzling corn basket by Geo Neptune

Why and how to support

Education, representation, and affirmation of Two-Spirit roles and identities is needed to improve the health and end the erasure and stigma of Two-Spirit people. Within the healthcare system in BC there is a lack of support for Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people.

To learn more, here are a few books and texts to read:
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HEALTH OF TWO-SPIRIT PEOPLE: Historical, contemporary and emergent issues
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder by Ma-Nee Chacaby and Mary Louisa Plummer
Urban Indigenous Youth Reframing Two-Spirit by Marie Laing
Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature by Qwo-Li Driskill, Daniel Heath Justice, Lisa Tatonetti, Deborah A. Miranda

Donate

Be inclusive of how you refer to people, use gender neutral pronouns when referring to a group of people and respect what pronouns everyone uses. Encourage the use of open gender identification boxes on assessment forms that aren’t limited to male or female. And remember to refrain from assuming the sexual orientation of people and patients within healthcare services. Two-Spirited people were revered members of their communities and the only way to heal such a relationship again is by continuing to educate the youth about how important they are and affirm the identities of Two-Spirit people.

image from NPAIHB Indian Leadership for Indian Health

Hotlines

1-(855)-956-1777
A peer support line and resource database for LGBTQ2S youth in British Columbia, Canada.
Open: Saturday-Wednesday, 18:00-21:00 PST

(888) 843-4564
A safe space that is anonymous and confidential where callers can speak on their issues and concerns.
Open: Monday-Friday, 13:00-21:00 PST

(888) 246-7743
Free and Confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger.
Open: Monday-Friday from 13:00-21:00 PST

Sources

https://lgbtqhealth.ca/community/two-spirit.php
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/nc-lgbtq2s-resources.pdf
https://www.glbthotline.org/
https://feministsdeliver.com/give-to-two-spirit-peoples-indigenous-women-and-girls/
https://unya.bc.ca/programs/2-spirit-collective/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/discrimination-against-two-spirit-indigenous-people-linked-to-suicide-crisis-1.3391593
https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/emerging/RPT-HealthTwoSpirit-Hunt-EN.pdf
https://www.allianceon.org/sites/default/files/documents/LGBTQ%20and%20TwoSpirit%20-%20NWAC.pdf
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/two-spirit-couple-face-racism-and-discrimination-on-journey-to-motherhood/
https://www.cbrc.net/discrimination_against_indigenous_communities_in_plain_sight_but_two_spirit_folks_left_unseen
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/two-spirit
https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/files/16-08-Two-Spirit.pdf
https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/users/qwo-li-driskill
https://homeandaway.gallery/artist-bios/native-american-artists/geo-neptune-two-spirit-baskets-of-the-wabanaki/
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/chrystos
https://www.tonyenosmusic.com/about
https://matadornetwork.com/read/two-spirit-indigenous-culture/

carrd written by Jendayi Bernardo