Today, March 20, I invite you to join me in honouring Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day. This date was chosen because it occurs during the spring equinox, one of two days of the year with a balance of light and dark, symbolizing the “in-between" space Two-Spirit people hold in our world.
As a proud Two-Spirit person myself, I celebrate the diversity of Two-Spirit identities and expressions, and honour our resilience, traditional roles, and contributions to the social, cultural, and spiritual fabric of Indigenous communities.
The English term "Two-Spirit" was first used in 1990 at an Intertribal Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference in Winnipeg, by Elder Myra Laramee and other Indigenous LGBTQ+ leaders. It is a culturally specific designation that describes gender and sexual diversity through a pre-colonial lens. While some individuals may identify as both Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+, the terms are not interchangeable; “Two-Spirit" carries spiritual and cultural meaning that predates Western-contemporary labels.
Historically, many First Nations held Two-Spirit people in high esteem as healers, visionaries, and community leaders. Colonialism, and the imposition of foreign values, introduced systemic homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination that marginalized Two-Spirit people and severed connections to traditional roles. Today, a powerful movement of reclamation is restoring identities, roles and relationships within families and communities. I am pleased to see the progress that is slowly being made to embrace our traditional ways of knowing and being, and to hear from younger First Nations queer people that their journey is getting easier.
My FNHA colleague, Jordan McKay from Lac La Ronge First Nation, shared that he has reclaimed his own identity with the Two-Spirit lens.
“I felt that my home life in La Ronge was my Cree self, and my city life in Vancouver was my queer self, and the two did not overlap," he said. “It wasn't until an Elder shared a Two-Spirit teaching with me that I was able to combine my two worlds. I felt a connection to my home community in northern Saskatchewan and the chosen family of queer relatives I found here in BC."
FNHA's Commitment to Wholistic Wellness
The FNHA remains steadfast in its mission to support Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ people on their paths to health and reclamation. By fostering inclusive, culturally safe, and wholistic health services, the FNHA aims to dismantle barriers to care. Key initiatives to implement this commitment include:
- Gender-Affirming Care: We partner with Pacific Blue Cross to provide coverage for gender-affirming products.
- Comprehensive Resource Development: We maintain a resource list that connects LGBTQQIA+ people with support services, educational tools, and community-led organizations.
- Collaborative Innovation: With partners like the Community-Based Research Centre, we support Two-Spirit-led programming designed to enhance community well-being.
- FNHA's 2S/LGBTQQIA+ Working Group: This dedicated group focuses on refining inclusive health services and developing culturally relevant resources that ensure every individual feels valued and supported.
A Call to Action and Celebration
On March 20, join us in the celebrating Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ communities. By honouring diverse identities and perspectives, we can build a future grounded in respect, inclusion, and empowerment. Let's celebrate the rich cultures of Two-Spirit people and commit to fostering environments where everyone can thrive in the fullness of their identity.
