Indigenous Knowledge and Two-Spirit Leadership Resource

Introduction

Throughout the history of Native nations across Turtle Island and around the world, communities have been led, lands have been stewarded, and connections have been built through the roles of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer leaders. These individuals carry many responsibilities and a great deal of knowledge. Their leadership heavily influences and guides their communities forward. Since colonization, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer communities have been ongoing targets of mistreatment, violence, and policies carrying harm that directly impact the safety and sovereignty of Native nations and Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people. At Native Governance Center, we affirm that queer and trans relatives have always existed in our communities and will continue to exist as strong leaders.

Before European colonization, Two-Spirit people played important roles in Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. In many communities, the ability to hold both masculine and feminine spirits meant unique abilities and responsibilities, resulting in Two-Spirit people holding various leadership roles. With colonization, Indigenous ways of being were disrupted. Two-Spirit people who refused to abandon their ways of life and assimilate were harshly penalized, including being imprisoned or having their families’ treaty rations withheld. Executive orders, laws, and other policies rooted in colonialism ignore the original cultures of the land. We call on Tribal leaders to engage in governance that includes, supports, and protects our queer and trans relatives. For non-Native allies and accomplices, we encourage you to take action in your local communities after reflecting and doing research on how you can support Indigiqueer and LGBTQ+ people more broadly.

At NGC, we want to acknowledge and uplift Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer leaders in our work, and we are honored to have been joined by incredible leaders during our event, “Sacred Voices: Learning from Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit Leaders.”

Language & Terminology

Two-Spirit/2Spirit/2S: Elder and organizer Myra Laramee (Fish River Cree Nation) pulled this phrase from the Anishinaabemowin language “niizh manidoowag”, which translates to “two spirits.” This was agreed upon as an umbrella term for gender variant people across Indian Country to use at the 3rd Annual Inter-Tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian Gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1990. Some Two-Spirit people may also be nonbinary, trans, or queer but these identities are not the same. Two-Spirit specifically includes the specific social and ceremonial roles Two-Spirit people play within their communities, not just their gender or sexuality.

Indigiqueer/Indigequeer: This term acknowledges that not all LGBTQ+ Indigenous people identify as Two-Spirit. Indigiqueer was created by TJ Cuthand (Plains Cree) in 2004 when working to title the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s Indigenous/Two-Spirit program. After the term began being used more widely, TJ wrote, “I liked the idea of Indigequeer. Because Queer is kind of a confrontational label, it’s one of those old reclamations that makes people uncomfortable. Indigenous isn’t a really confrontational label (although everything else about it is because we are all still all over the globe resisting) so putting the two together makes this word I really liked.”

Nation-Specific Terms: In addition to the terms above, the language of many different Native nations affirms many diverse gender identities and roles within communities. This reflects a larger cultural framework that values the fluidity of gender. While we cannot share a full list of these terms nor the roles they play within their specific communities, we wanted to share a few examples reflecting the diversity of Indian Country:

• Nádleehí/dilbaa’ (Navajo)
• Winkte/winkta (Lakota/Dakota)
• Badé (Crow)
• Mixoge(Osage)

The Role of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Identities in Indian Country– Their Importance, History, and Current Realities

Gender variance and expression are a natural part of human existence, as indicated by many different communities recognizing far more than two genders. Before colonization, Two-Spirit individuals held important roles within our communities, such as healers, spiritual leaders, artists, teachers, and mediators. These unique roles were integral to the social and spiritual fabric of their communities.

Colonial forces sought to erase Two-Spirit identities through assimilation policies and violence, disrupting traditional roles and marginalizing these individuals within their own communities. Contact changed some of the original stories and beliefs of the land, but Two-Spirit people have resisted and maintained their traditions despite colonization. Today, Two-Spirit relatives are reclaiming their roles and living authentically.

Now, as before colonization, we are seeing Indigenous people reconnect and reclaim their traditional roles within Native nations as leaders, knowledge keepers, organizers, and more. Through art, language revitalization, storytelling, and finding out more about their traditional practices, people are gaining and experiencing what it means to be Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer in their own communities. However, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer individuals continue to face challenges, including discrimination and a lack of representation.

How can I support the Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Community?

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the histories and cultures of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer communities. Engage with resources created by Indigenous scholars, knowledge-keepers, storytellers, and organizations.

• Work within your own Native community to begin breaking down existing stigmas and stereotypes often rooted in colonization.
• Don’t hesitate to acknowledge/call out bias or harmful behaviors within your community.
• Support or lead re-education efforts about history within your Tribe. Revitalize and reform education using culturally knowledgeable elders and researchers in our communities.
• Update curriculum and early education to be more inclusive, real, and authentic.

Support Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Contribute to and amplify programs and events that center Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer voices, ensuring they lead the narrative.​

• Research, identify, and commit to supporting Indigenous-led initiatives near you.
  • Is there a local Two-Spirit group or organization you can support? If one doesn’t exist in your area, are you a Native leader who can help start one?
• Provide and support Native leaders looking to participate in governance in and beyond their communities. Give them resources and education that will support them in being a strong political candidate.
• Support programs and events through donating resources you have access to, offering skills you specialize in, and by simply showing up to learn more.

Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Work towards policies that recognize and protect the rights of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer individuals within both Indigenous and broader societal contexts.​

• Across all levels of governance, both Tribal leaders and other leaders must participate in the discussion of:
  • Tribes, cities, and states can adopt anti-harassment policies, supportive marriage and adoption laws, mental and physical health policies, and more that affirm and protect queer and trans people.
  • Are efforts around policy change ongoing? Is there a group leading policy change that you can join and/or support?

Support and Collaborate with Native Nations: Native nations are always encouraging non-Native folks to join their movements, support change, and become allies to their communities. Through a respectful approach to standing with Native nations and their communities, specifically with the Two-Spirit community, you can help shift the narrative and bring awareness to challenges faced and promote sovereignty. While we have a few recommendations below, we encourage you to research and connect with folks on how best you can support!

Time and Resources: Can you set aside resources every month that you can contribute to the Two-Spirit community? Can you attend events featuring Two-Spirit folks? Can you set up a recurring donation to a Two-Spirit organization? Support comes in all shapes and sizes, something as simple as setting aside time to educate yourself on the community is a great first step!

Policy Change: Are there policies that harm Two-Spirit citizens of a certain Native nation that you oppose? Contact your local representatives and encourage them to implement changes! How can you actively support and promote the sovereignty of Native nations?

Additional Resources

Event Recording