What do 2SLGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit mean?

One of the core pillars that informs the work of the Indigenous Justice Circle is gender transformative justice. We believe in the potential of Native girls, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people and aim to make our work accessible and gender-expansive. In alignment with Indigenous values and culture, our work rejects a colonial gender binary and instead we choose to bring awareness to the different roles 2SLGBTQ+ people held and continue to hold in Native society. 

In the acronym LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer), the “+” acknowledges other identities that are not included (Smithsonian). It is our practice to include a 2S at the front to highlight the important role of Two-Spirit people not only in Indigenous cultures but society at large. 

Two-Spirit is an umbrella term that refers to a gender role, not a sexual orientation, specific to Indigenous peoples. The term is most commonly used by Alaska Native and American Indian communities across North America, although Indigenous peoples around the world have similar concepts in their cultures and languages. Traditionally, Two-Spirit people are individuals who combine activities of both men and women with traits unique to their status as Two-Spirit regardless of their assigned sex at birth (Hotline).

“Respect and Equality Shawl” by Suzanne Lynn Cross (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan).

The creation of the term Two-Spirit is often attributed to Elder Myra Laramee (Cree), who proposed its use during the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference, held in Winnipeg in 1990 (Indigenous Foundation). The term is a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term niizh manidoowag, which literally translates to “two spirits” (LGBTQ Health). However, this is by far not the only word used to represent gender-variance in Indigenous communities. In fact, many Indigenous languages have specific words to describe same-sex attraction and/or gender diversity, such as winkt (Lakota) or nàdleehé (Diné) (LGBTQ Health).

While some Two-Spirit people also identify as queer or non-binary, it is important to not use the terms as interchangeable; Native people use the term Two-Spirit to stand against colonized systems of identity and kinship. More than a mere description, Two-Spirit embodies a specifically Indigenous worldview of gender (Hotline), and as such is a word that can only be used to describe self-identifying Native people. 

Although traditionally, Indigenous societies had systems that were inclusive of gender diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ people had honored and important roles within their communities, through colonialism and forced assimilation the roles and rights of Two-Spirit people have been eroded. Current anti-trans and anti-queer movements undermine long-held Native traditions and values. 

Our approach is gender-expansive and uplifts the voices, experiences and unique insights of 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Through the thought leadership and examples of our Two Spirit Indigenous Young Leaders, as well as the opportunity to learn from our partners on how to advocate for 2SLGBTQ+community members, we hope to be a resource on best practices for gender-expansive and Indigenous-led programming.

Indigenous Young Leader River Webb (Nez Perce/Sac and Fox, they/she) teaches the audience about traditional roles and responsibilities Two-Spirit people hold in her community.