Two-Spirit refers to a strictly Native people identity[1] that describes a person who identifies as having both a masculine and feminine spirit. It is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous people as a way to describe their sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity.[2] Two-Spirit is all-encompassing of LGBTQIA+ identities.[1]
While some use the term specifically as it relates to the cultural roles of individuals who embody both spirits, Two-Spirit is also used to describe Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ people. It reflects traditionally Aboriginal gender diversity, including the fluid nature of gender, sexual identity, and other identities and how it connects to with spirituality.[3]
Two-Spirit is also an ancient teaching amongst Indigenous and Native people. According to Elders teachings, some people were gifted by carrying two spirits; that of a male and female. These members had roles in the tribe that were not traditionally that of their assigned gender. For example, women engaged in tribal warfare, women married women, and men married other men. Two-Spirited people were revered in the community and respected as fundamental components of ancient culture and societies.[4][5][3]
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Etymology
The term Two-Spirit was proposed during the third annual international LGBT Native American gather in 1990 by Elder Myra Laramee.[6][2] It was proposed as an Indigenously-defined pan-Native North American term referring to the diversity of Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ identities as well as culturally-specific non-binary gender identities.[3]
If the sun is male and the moon is female, then Two-Spirits are the dusk, Two-Spirits are the dawn, and Two-Spirits are the time in which the sun and moon occupy the sky at the same time.
Geo Neptune's elemental description of the term[1]
Other nations view the term Two-Spirit as the English translation for an Ojibwe word (niizh manidoowag) that, at its most rudimentary, means "embodies both the masculine and feminine spirit". However, Two-Spirit as an umbrella term for a concept is more complex.[1]
Community
History
Western scholars used the term berdache to frame the lives of Two-Spirit people, often romanticizing or pathologizing discourses. Prior to colonization, from a broad viewpoint, Indigenous views accounted for diverse sexual practices and identities. For this reason, practices were not rooted heternormativity, as same sex or gender relationships were not deemed as being deviant.[3]
First Nation
In the First Nation, before Europeans came to North America, the "Two-Spirit" referred to an ancient teaching given by the Elders. They described people gifted by the spirit of both a man and female. These individuals were looked upon as a third gender, and in almost all cultures, were honored and revered. They held role of visionaries, healers, and medicine people, respected as fundamental members of the culture and societies.[4]
Crow Nation
In the Crow nation during the 1800s, Two-Spirited people were called baté, which referred to a tribal member who was born male but identified as a woman. A significant baté woman was Osh-Tisch, a leader baté in the Crow nation. She was an esteemed member of her society. The Crow people viewed the baté as a bridge between the two genders, as baté excelled in both traditionally male and female roles.[5]
During the European invasion in the 1890s, colonizers imposed bigoted beliefs regarding their gender and sexuality. The colonizers tried to force the Crow people to conform to their beliefs. When they learned of the baté, missionaries were sent to rehabilitate people and force them to not only live a gender they were born as, but also into gender roles that were wholly European. The missionary sent was named Federal Agent Briskow. He forced the baté to wear and act as he wanted - for them to conform to European ideologies. The community supported Osh-Tisch and Chief Pretty Eagle forced the agent into resignation. Despite Osh-Tisch's best efforts to support the baté, her death allowed European societal normal to all but take over. Osh-Tisch was known as the last baté for a long time.[5]
Métis Nation
Reclaiming history
In modern times, Two-Spirited People are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, third or fourth gendered people, who are described as "walking carefully between the worlds and between the genders." Moreover, because of colonization and Native people's experiences, the role of Two-Spirit people has been lost "to consciousness", with many Native people adopting the homophobic attributes in today's society. Luckily, the Seventh Generation Two-Spirits are reclaiming their traditional roles and beliefs.[4] The new generations of Crow nations are also reclaiming their Indigenous culture in an attempt to uncover and reconnect with it.[5]
Distinction
Optional section: If the topic has similarities to another gender/orientation, use this section to highlight the differences between them.
Controversy
Optional section: If this topic has been the subject of any controversies, detail them in this section. For example, it could explain outdated or disputed terms, disagreements about how this identity is defined, identity-phobic discourse around popular flags, or other conflicts.
Perceptions and discrimination
Health care
Internationally, Indigenous health care is a blatant issues. Indigenous people experience a disproportionately lower socioeconomic status, increased rates of substance abuse, and incidents with the criminal justice system. It is likely that LGBTQIA+ Two-Spirit people face similar and additional factors, including sexual health care, accessible housing, drop-in centers, health care, counseling, and more due to outright discrimination. The determinants to Two-Spirit peoples' health receives minimal attention in health literature due to transphobia and homophobia, including other forms of structural power inequalities.[3] An assessment of Two-Spirit and trans people in Manitoba showed that levels of STI and HIV infections were much higher in the general Aboriginal population, especially among male-born Aboriginal study participants. Proposals to correct these disproportionate rates included establishing a trans care center, information campaign for trans people throughout the Manitoba region, referral protocol and distribution of care throughout the health system, an trans-competence training for first responders.[7]
The health care system creates barriers for Two-Spirit people when they attempt to access health care. Many LGBTQ Indigenous Canadians have a fear of discrimination based on HIV status, sexual orientation, or that an Indigenous identity has at some pointe stopped them from accessing health services in the past. A lack of confidentiality within a small rural town or even on-reserve community health care centers was also a concern for some Two-Spirit people. The Trans PULSE Project held a study in which 64% of Aboriginal people had at least unmet healthcare need in the past year. In the US, the National Transgender Discrimination Survey found 34% of American Indian and Alaska Native respondents had been refused care due to anti-trans bias, and 65% postponed treatment out of fear. Moreover, research suggests that Indigenous LGBTQ and two-spirit people experience higher rates of HIV infections.[3][8]
Mental health and non-ceremonial tobacco[note 1] use been documented as one of the major concerns facing the two-spirit communities, especially in the United States. These concerns are largely voiced by individuals within the Indigenous and two-spirit community. There is a great nee need, identified both by two-spirit and LGBTQ Indigenous people and searchers, for HIV prevention, substance abuse help, mental health, and social support - all tailored for the unique aspects of these identities.[8]
Discriminations
Much research has shown that Two-Spirit people have a higher rate of poverty. A 2009 study showed nearly half of Aborginal trans people in Manitoba had a pre-tax income under $10,000.[3][7]
Systemic invisibility
Media
This section should be used to elaborate on the portrayal and representation of this identity in various forms of media, which can include a listing or links to various artists or movies, series, etc. Subheadings like Film, Television, Literature, and Music should be used where appropriate.
Resources
Notes
- ↑ Non-ceremonial tobacco use includes chewing tobacco or use of cigarettes. It is distinguished from ceremonial tobacco use - the burning of tobacco as a sacred medicine.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "What it really means to identify as Two-Spirit in Indigenous culture" by John Garry on matadornetwork.com. Published 2020-08-21
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Two-Spirit Community" by Re:Searching For LGBTQ2S+ Health on lgbtqhealth.ca (Archived on January 20, 2022).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 An Introduction to the Health of Two-Spirit People: Historical, contemporary and emergent issues. by Dr. Sarah Hunt. Published 2016, May. ISBN 978-1-988426-08-2
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations" by 2-Spirits on 2spirits.com (Archived on November 26, 2021).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Osh-Tisch The Warrior and the Crow Nation" by Making Queer History on makingqueerhistory.com (Archived on January 25, 2022).
- ↑ "Two Spirited People of Manitoba Inc." by Two Spirit Manitoba on twospiritmanitoba.ca (Archived on January 25, 2022).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Health and Safety Issues for Aboriginal Transgender/Two Spirit People in Manitoba by Catherine G. Taylor. Published 2009
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Two-Spirit and LGBTQ Indigenous Health" by Rainbow Health Ontario on rainbowhealthontario.ca