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Welcome to our third year of sharing the Spirit-Honor-Inclusion newsletter! Our intention is to hold space for Two Spirit LGBTQ+ issues of relevance and share stories from American Indian and Alaska Native country to connect, grow relationships, and build community.
Each issue will share current information with our tribal communities and Native Connections grantees related to Two Spirit and LGBTQ topics. We will highlight resources, articles, news or events, and a featured guest contributor will guide the focus of each newsletter. Instead of a Guest Editor for this issue, multiple Indigenous members of the TSLGBTQ+ community shared their stories and experiences during Pride Month in June. Their work provides the theme of this newsletter: Pride
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Note: The views expressed in these articles and content are from individuals' experiences and do not necessarily represent the views, policies, and positions of the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. | |
June 2023 was the fifty-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a catalyst for the TSLGBTQ+ movement. Every June, Pride Month is celebrated and TSLGBTQ+ people celebrate their identity, honor those who fought for their rights before them, and continue to work to ensure that future TSLGBTQ+ people experience fairness, justice, and equality. While Pride Month is over, the work for equality is never done. This Pride Month edition will provide first-hand experiences from TSLGBTQ+ people as well as resources to better help TSLGBTQ+ people and youth in your community. | |
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For Pride Month, grantees shared their own experiences with being Two Spirit and how they support Two Spirit youth in their community.
By Justin Mandosking
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Boozhoo boozhoo indinawemaaganadog, Aanii Kinaweyaa. Mayakiizhaa indigo miinawaa Waabanokiizhick nidizhnikgoz. Amik nidoodem, Baawaating indoonjiibaa. Niniizhimin Anishinaabe indaaw. Zhim Minis Anishinaabeg Indendaabendogwas. Hello all my relatives, I acknowledge your light. The spirits know me as Mayakiizhaa and my community calls me Waabanokiizhick. I am beaver clan and was born in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. I am Two Spirit and I belong to the Jim Island Indians.
There are a few ways in which we gain permission in Anishinaabeg culture, such as through asemaa (tobacco), dreams, ancestors (trans-cestors), legends, and fasting. Whenever we request something from a relative, whether they are a human, plant, animal, mineral, water, or spirit, we always offer our tobacco first. If the tobacco is accepted, we have gained consent to fulfill our request. A loon clan elder from Gnoozhekaaning (Bay Mills Indian Community) says that when we dream of something, we have obtained permission and protection to carry that dream out. Whether we dream of a new ceremony or reviving an old one, an article of clothing, a task, or of ourselves as a different gender, our communities accept our dreams, knowing we have the permission and protection of the spirits who have given us the dream.
Another way we gain permission is through the actions of our ancestors. History gives us examples that Two Spirit people may use to obtain permission from as well. In Zhaashaawanibiisi’s (John Tanner) narrative, the Ojibwe were given permission to live as Two Spirit people by the life of Ozaawindib, an Ojibwe transwoman. The beaver clan was given permission to accept trans women as women by clan mother Netnoqua, a female chief who lived in the early 1800s. Odawa men were given permission to marry transwomen by Chief Wagetote, accepting a transgender woman as his third wife.
The last way in which we may obtain permission is through our legends. Many nations such as the Anishinaabeg, Hochungra, and Oceti Sakowin have legends where the central character changes gender from male to female. These legends grant Two Spirit permission to live our lives authentically. Our medicines, dreams, and legends are all included in our bundles that our communities are formed around.
The next thing I would like to discuss is the Two Spirit Bundle. A bundle can be as simple as a single pipe or as elaborate as a Beaver Bundle, which contains all the clans' songs and dances and is the origin of Sundance. Bundles are the center of our communities and contain ceremonies, dreams, hopes, prayers, and languages. In our communities, the children are closest to the bundle; surrounding them are the elders and surrounding them are the adults. There are special places for Two Spirit people that bring balance to leadership and birth worker roles. Currently, a Two Spirit bundle is being put together by Two Spirit people across the Great Lakes area. The bundle intends to reestablish our societies, traditions, ceremonies, and place in the circle. Once the bundle is complete, it will be feasted and then offered in a ceremony to the spirits to regain our sacred roles and responsibilities as Niizhiwag Anishinaabeg or those who carry the best of both characteristics of Anishinaabeg.
I would also like to take this opportunity to uplift the Two Spirit community in the 1836 ceded territory of Northern Michigan. Waganakising Nagwaangan is a Two Spirit group based out of Harbor Springs centered around Two Spirit youth. Waganakising Nagwaangan holds talking circles, craft nights, gender-affirming regalia-making, and feasts. Upper Peninsula Two Spirit & Allies is a community group that brings two spirit people and allies together by hosting talking circles, movie nights, and winter storytelling events virtually and in person in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Two Spirit Council of Baawating is an advocacy group of Two Spirit people formed in response to the exclusion and discrimination of Two Spirit throughout our communities.
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Boozhoo, my name is Nicolette. I am honored to share my experiences and to be part of this incredible publication. I am a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I'm Ojibwe with roots in Bahweting and Mexican with family from Oaxaca. I'm two-spirit and a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a person in long-term recovery from drugs and alcohol, and a mental health therapist.
I would like to start by acknowledging that it has been a particularly difficult time for our communities with many of us still healing from all of the deep pain that has been caused in recent years by the increase in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric and the rampant racism, homophobia, sexism, and ableism that has been both tolerated and encouraged. Fear in our communities increased when it was suggested that marriage equality laws should be reviewed. It is heartbreaking in the year 2023, after all the progress and victories for our communities, it is even a question if it should be acceptable for people to marry regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, and race.
While it is important to recognize the current issues we now have to advocate against, it is equally important for me to share that I have seen powerful reminders that our communities are just as strong and beautiful as ever. Last weekend I visited Toronto, Canada for the annual Pride celebration. A section of the city called The Village served as a dedicated space for the weekend celebrations and included a 3-hour parade. I was in awe that these Pride celebrations included special events for so many members of our community. It was inspiring to see dedicated spaces for fellow sober and indigenous people. In the parade itself, one of the first groups to march included the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations who spoke, cheered, and paved the way by smudging the path and spreading good energy to everyone in attendance.
It was spectacular to see the entire city of Toronto decorated in rainbow, pride flags everywhere, and the most fabulous, colorful, and beautiful crowd I have ever witnessed. It reminded me of the pure happiness I felt at the historic Pride Parade in New York City, NY in 2015 that took place two days after the Supreme Court affirmed same-sex marriage as a right. In moments like these, I am restored with hope and comforted by the knowledge that we are never as alone as we think we are. There are 2SLGBTQIA+ people across the world celebrating in the streets, advocating, fighting back, and supporting one another through the victories and the challenges we experience. It is encouraging to see that even in difficult times, there are spaces in which we are not just tolerated but seen, understood, celebrated, and loved.
I am confident that where safe spaces do not yet exist for us, our communities are strong enough to come together to pave the way for ourselves, our families, our friends, and for future generations to come. We will remain a powerful force that will protest each time our rights are challenged. We will advocate and celebrate to serve as a reminder we are still here, and we are not going anywhere. We will continue to do the important work of decolonizing gender. We will focus on teaching, sharing, and honoring our traditions and cultural wisdom. Most importantly, we will continue to be there to love and support one another through these times and to remind each other that we all have a light shining so brightly within us that we will see our way out of any darkness we face and find the comfort of safety and peace we all deserve.
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The Native American TSLGBTQ+ Community: A Vulnerable Intersection | | |
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The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a resource for TSLGBTQ+ youth and adults who are struggling and has taken steps to be inclusive toward TSLGBTQ+ identities.
By Kate Guardado, Tribal TTA Center 988 Summer Staff
Before the arrival of European colonizers, many Native American societies recognized and respected the existence of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Various tribes had different terms and concepts to describe individuals who did not conform to the binary understanding of gender and sexuality. These individuals often held important roles in their communities as healers, spiritual leaders, and cultural transmitters. However, with the advent of colonialism these traditions were actively suppressed and demonized.
The Colonial powers sought to impose their own norms and beliefs on indigenous people, often through forced assimilation and the erasure of indigenous cultures. As a result, many TSLGBTQ+ individuals in these communities experienced isolation, shame, and a loss of connection to their cultural heritage. The imposition of colonial legal systems introduced laws and policies that criminalized same-sex relationships and non-binary identities. These oppressive measures not only perpetuated discrimination but also led to the internalization of homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of bigotry within Native American societies. TSLGBTQ+ individuals within Native American communities often experience a heightened vulnerability due to the intersectionality of their identities. Discrimination, stigma, and a lack of understanding can further exacerbate feelings of isolation and despair.
The 988 Lifeline has recognized the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in providing effective support to the TSLGBTQ+ community. It has actively worked to develop resources, training, and outreach initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the unique needs of TSLGBTQ+ Native American individuals. By collaborating with tribal communities and TSLGBTQ+ organizations, the 988 Lifeline has taken steps to ensure that its services are tailored to the experiences and values of the Native American community.
Safe spaces provide vital environments where individuals can express their thoughts, fears, and struggles without fear of judgment or discrimination. These spaces cultivate a sense of belonging and connection, fostering hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Recognizing this, 988 Lifeline has made significant strides to ensure it is a welcoming resource for the TSLGBTQ+ Native American community. As 988 moves forward, it is crucial to continue supporting and expanding initiatives that address the mental health needs of the Native American TSLGBTQ+ community, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey towards well-being and acceptance.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Lifeline is available to help, 24/7 by phone or chat.
Additional Resources
SAMHSA’s 988 website: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/988-suicide-crisis-lifeline-lgbtq
Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/indigenous-tribes-embraced-gender-fluidity-prior-to-colonisation-but-europeans-enforced-specific-gender-roles/
Thesis by Dana L. Wesley, Queens University Canada - Reimagining Two-Spirit Community: Critically Centering Narratives of Urban Two-Spirit Youth
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By Kellen Lewis
June 2023 and this year’s Pride Month celebration was brilliant.
Hi, I’m Kellen. I am a Two Spirit, queer-identifying person that is both Black American and niimíipuu (Nez Perce). I was born and raised in present day Washington State and have walked this great earth over five different decades. While these years of life may not be many, they have granted me proficiency in navigating our internet connected world while also affording me an appreciation for an existence before these technological advancements.
My journey over the years has witnessed the progress made in supporting our 2SLGBTQIA+ relatives in our society. This year’s Pride season was a grand testament to that. Between the present-day cities of Spokane, WA, Seattle, WA and Lapwai, ID, there was a marked increase in celebrations that were led by Two Spirit, Indigequeer, or Black and/or Indigenous people of color organizers. It was my great honor to experience them firsthand.
Each of these events created safe spaces for folks to gather and connect under a unified spirit of inclusion and cultural expression. Additionally, the celebrations invited ease to their Black and Brown attendees, counteracting many of the Pride celebrations that historically disregard care for diverse experiences within the queer community. They made for an encouraging and rejuvenating pride season. It was truly inspiring.
Early in the month, Spectrum Center in partnership with Spokane Pride sponsored the Spokane Falls Two-Spirit Powwow. Hosted on the original homelands of the Spokane Tribe, this day of celebration shared a message of inclusivity in an arena where stringent gender norms can be exclusionary: the pow wow circle. It was a rare treat to begin Pride season with a tradition-centered celebration like a pow wow, especially as the celebration focused on redefining traditions to create greater acceptance for Two Spirit participants.
I also celebrated Pride on the original homelands of the Suquamish and Duwamish people. Indigenize Productions hosted an event called Indigequeer, an art-infused space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of color alike. There was a sense of wonder and hope among the group gathered there. Together, we experienced a vision of a bright, inclusive future that honors diversity in identity.
Finally, I served as the event MC for the third annual Lapwai Pride, hosted by Nimiipuu Health Clinic. Taking place on the original homelands of the niimíipuu (Nez Perce), the day’s celebration was filled with a parade down main street, free lunch for attendees, guest speakers, support from area organizations, and a performance from a local drag artist. As the MC, I remarked that Pride events did not exist there on our Tribe’s reservation in my youth. I give thanks that this programming is offered today to help my home community grow to embrace its diverse inhabitants.
All in all, this year’s Pride celebration had a prominent Indigenous presence. There is a strong push for inclusive spaces that focus on communities whose stories are often excluded or ignored. From the experiences I had at the three different events this past June, I am left with a grand sense of hope for the future.
As our society moves out of a period of isolation, we as a people are reacquainting with connecting to one another. In that process, we are experiencing the beginnings of a future that better honors a spirit of inclusion for all our relatives. This June’s Pride season was definite proof of that.
Who knows, in 5 to 10 years, the events I attended this year may very well be solidified staples in their communities. They may become grand arenas for more and more of our Two Spirit community members to feel loved and supported. More than anything, however, it was honor to experience the early beginnings of wonderous things to come.
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Adonis Fernandes, a staff member of the Native Connections TTA Center, also attended the Spokane Two Spirit Powwow. He shared his experience at the powwow and the positive impact it held on the Native TSLGBTQ+ community.
On Friday, June 9, 2023, I attended Spokane’s first Two-Spirit Powwow. The powwow was held in downtown Spokane in Riverfront Park. The event was sponsored by the Spectrum Center and partnered with Spokane Pride to help organize and put on the event. The pow-wow grand entry featured head dancers Aiyana Reid and Letkwu Moore Stranger; powwow organizer Lacey Bacon helped bring in the dancers of the powwow.
The powwow was one of the most inclusive powwows I have attended. The MCs strongly encouraged spectators to join in the dancing and would often pick them out and bring them to the dance floor. In between dancing categories, the MCs also organized games for the dancers, spectators, and other attendees to join in the fun. One of the games I really enjoyed was “Sweep Your Tipi,” which is a community team building game that is often used for Gathering of Native American’s (GONA). Throughout this game, the MCs emphasized the importance of allyship between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people, as well as Two-Spirited People and their allies.
Allyship is crucial to the development of TSLGBTQ+ rights in America, because being an ally shows that the TSLGBTQ+ community is not alone in their fight to preserve their rights and through support continues to create positive safe space for TSLGBTQ+ individuals. The powwow also had multiple vendors that were selling beadwork, food, and clothing like shirts that supported inclusion. There were also multiple stands that were giving out Pride related merchandise like buttons, bags, and information pamphlets.
Before dinner break, the organizers had multiple performances from Indigenous drag queens which I thought was amazing. There were also multiple prominent Two-Spirited individuals who shared their story, wisdom, and knowledge with us. Attendees were also invited to bring their dogs to the dance floor for a special contest for the best dressed Indigenous dog. The dog special provided a gift for each dog that entered the special and the top dog won a gift. All in all, the powwow was amazingly beautiful, informational, and I am very grateful to have attended the first Two-Spirited Powwow in Spokane, WA.
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27th Annual Montana Two Spirit Gathering
The 27th Annual Montana Two Spirit Gathering will be held in Flathead Lake, MT August 16-20, 2023. The purpose is to celebrate Indigenous Two Spirit People. Registration for the event is required. To register, click here.
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Summit 2023: Together in Action
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) will be hosting a summit in Vancouver, Canada from November 16-17, 2023. The Together in Action summit will promote TSLGBTQ+ health care, research, and social services. Click here for more information about the summit.
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TSLGBTQ+ Flags and Emblems | |
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During Pride celebrations, many flags are seen waving around. The most popular Pride flag is the rainbow flag. However, the rainbow flag is not the only flag used to represent identity. Bisexuals, lesbians, and transgender people are all represented by different flags, and each flag has its own historical context. Each color represents an aspect of the TSLGBTQ+ journey. While this flag is widely used, many felt their identity wasn't fully represented. Different iterations of the Pride flag include the colors black and brown to include TSLGBTQ+ people of color. Two Spirit individuals also have their own flag, pictured below. Click here to read more about the history of Pride flags and how the TSLGBTQ+ continues to work to be more inclusive in their messaging.
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Want to access previous TSLGBTQ Spirit-Honor-Inclusion newsletters?
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TSLGBTQ Spirit-Honor-Inclusion Newsletter
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The views, opinions, and content expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views, policies, and positions of the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. | | | | |
