Guides: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, &amp; Accessibility: Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit: This is a term that refers to Indigenous traditions within some Native American and Indigenous groups. Two-Spirit often means that an individual has both a masculine and feminine spirit within their body, which is associated with a variety of unique roles and practices within Indigenous culture. Halifax Sexual Health Centre

Books

Urban Indigenous Youth Reframing Two-Spirit by Marie Laing
Publication Date: 2021
"This book offers insights from young trans, queer, and two-spirit Indigenous people in Toronto who examine the breadth and depth of meanings that two-spirit holds."
Two Spirit Acts: Queer Indigenous Performances by Jean O'Hara
Publication Date: 2014
"In this collection of short but powerful two-spirit plays, characters dispel conventional notions of gender and sexuality while celebrating Indigenous understandings."
A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby & Mary Louisa Plummer
Publication Date: 2016
""A Two-Spirit Journey" is Ma-Nee Chacaby's extraordinary account of her life as an Ojibwa-Cree lesbian. Her memoir provides unprecedented insights into the challenges still faced by many Indigenous people."
Becoming Two-Spirit by Brian Joseph Gilley
ISBN: 1280550864
Publication Date: 2006
"Becoming Two-Spirit, the first book to take an in-depth look at contemporary American Indian gender diversity. Drawing on a wealth of observations from interviews, oral histories, and meetings and ceremonies, Brian Joseph Gilley provides an intimate view of how Two-Spirit men in Colorado and Oklahoma struggle to redefine themselves and their communities."
Two-Spirit People by Sue-Ellen Jacobs, Wesley Thomas & Sabine Lang
Publication Date: 1997
"This landmark book combines the voices of Native Americans and non-Indians, anthropologists and others, in an exploration of gender and sexuality issues as they relate to lesbian, gay, trans-gendered, and other "marked" Native Americans."

Resources

2 Spirits in Motion
2 Spirits in Motion aims to create a nurturing, safe, and supportive social environment for 2 spirit people to feel loved and empowered.
Native Youth Sexual Health Network
The Native Youth Sexual Health Network is a youth led initiative that aims to provide sexual health education to Indigenous youth.
Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) Two-Spirit Collective
UNYA's Two-Spirit Collective provides programming and support for Indigenous youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance
The Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance's mission is "To represent the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being and interests of Two Spirits and Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals and groups in Wabanaki Territory (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, Gaspé region of Quebec, and Maine (northern areas in Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribal territories) based on our beliefs and values in the framework within the Peace and Friendship Treaty."