“Unlike when someone comes out, which is about their individual identity, ‘coming in’ is about connection to community and being part of something bigger than yourself”
~ Alex Wilson
2SLGBTQQIA+ Resources
Below are links to several Two Spirit Indigenous Organizations, Non-Indigenous Specific 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations and other additional resources that may help any person looking for more information on the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
The Origin of Two Spirit
How two-spirit people are ‘coming in’ to their communities
Below is a link to the story posted to the CBC Radio website (Written by Laura Beaulne-Stuebing. Produced by Erin Noel, Kim Kaschor, Laura Beaulne-Stuebing, Roshini Nair, and Rosanna Deerchild.). It contains the original broadcast of the story on CBC Radio that can be listened to, as well as a short video of Anishinaabe elder Myra Laramee (who coined the term Two Spirit in 1990) explaining how the Two Spirit came to her in a dream.
- The term “Two Spirit” is relatively new, but gender variance people have existed since time immemorial.
- Two Spirit incorporates one’s fluid identity, Indigenous identity and spiritual identity as one.
- Being Two Spirit is not exclusively about identity. While that is a large piece, the second piece is in understanding and using your gifts as Two Spirit to support your community. Historically, Two Spirit was a highly revered community role.
- Two Spirit are and were seen as gifted as we were able to fulfill many roles in our social systems because of the ability to go between worlds and roles.
Two Spirit Indigenous Organizations
2 Spirits In Motion will create, maintain and strengthen a safe and supportive social environment for Two Spirit peoples to feel and be loved, to succeed, to become empowered to make their own decisions and to find and express their purpose in life.
We see a strong, healthy, and self-determining 2-Spirit community where 2-Spirit peoples live with pride in their Indigenous heritages, values and roles in our communities. We see 2-Spirit peoples as continuing to celebrate our strengths and supporting community members to live with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
2Spirit Manitoba serves all 2Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ people in Manitoba.
The Medicine Wolf Healing Place is a program that is aimed at providing the 2Spirit/Indigi-Queer (2SIQ) community with a safe place to go and learn Indigenous traditional teachings, practices and perform ceremony.
- support members of the Northern 2SLGBTQIA+ community
- raise awareness on Northern 2SLGBTQIA+ issues
- provide opportunities for networking and connection for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies
The Two-Spirit Michif Local is the first of its kind in the Métis Nation. We’re a home for 2SLGBTQ+ Métis citizens looking for belonging, for family and friends, for support and a safe space. Our Local is part of the Winnipeg region. What makes our Local unique is that our citizens can live elsewhere. If you are beyond borders, you can request our local to be yours.
Non-Indigenous Specific 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations
Rainbow Resource Centre offers support to the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the form of counselling, education, and programming for individuals ranging from children through to 55±. It also supports families, friends, and employers of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
Sunshine House is a community drop-in and resource centre focusing on harm reduction and social inclusion. We work to provide programming that fulfills people’s social, community, and recreational needs. Participants can come as they are, and are not expected to be “clean” or sober.
Trans Manitoba is a grassroots collective of folks who believe the radical idea that Two Spirits, nonbinary people, and transgender folks should speak for ourselves and be seen as critical stakeholders in decisions made for our lives. We believe the personal is political. We advocate for systemic change to improve the lives of Manitobans of all genders through outreach, education, and political and legal action.
The Trans Health Klinic provides consultation, medical, and psychosocial supports to gender diverse clients. Our care is tailored based on your needs.
There are many affirming churches of different denominations right here in Winnipeg. This site has a list of afirming churches for you to checkout.
The Queering the Compass training promotes sexual and reproductive health within 2STLGBQIA+ communities while improving the capacity of healthcare workers and service providers who serve them. This training will address gaps in healthcare services and empower healthcare professionals in providing inclusive care.
Additional Resources for 2SLGBTQQIA+
Keynote: Two-Spirit Rites of Passage
Presented by Dr. James Makokis at Summit 2019: Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility, in Vancouver, BC.
Dr. Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree), Two Spirit physician from Onihcikiskwapiwinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) who practices Family Medicine in Kinokamasihk (Kehewin Cree Nation) and South Edmonton where he has a transgender health focused practice. His passion drives him to elevate the Nehiyô health system, which includes the use of Nehiyâw maskihkiya (Cree medicines). In addition to his work with First Nations Peoples, Dr. Makokis has a strong interest in providing high quality care to the Trans community.
For more information visit cbrc.net/summit
Trans And Native: Meet The Indigenous Doctor Giving Them Hope
What is it like to provide trans care on an Indigenous reserve that serves 2,400 people in central Alberta? For this Two-Spirit Cree doctor, it’s more than his job. Dr. Makokis created a unique approach to transgender care, combining Indigenous and Western teachings.
AJ+ followed Dr. Makokis for a day to find out what makes his patients drive 8 hours to see him. Hint: His openness about his identity is a big part of it.
Ma-Nee Chacaby talks about Two Spirit identities
Indigenous elder Ma-Nee Chacaby talks about Two Spirit identities. Anishnaabe Author of “A Two-Spirit Journey” (2016).
Grandmother Blu Two Spirit in Ceremony
Elder Laureen blu Waters discusses 2Spirited People and Ceremony.
Grandmother Blu Two Spirit – The Balance Bringers
Elder Laureen blu Waters talks about Two Spirit people and how they are the balance bringers of the community. This message was delivered during COVID isolation when many Two Spirit people were struggling with the absence of human interaction.
Quick Explanation of “Two Spirit”
The term “Two Spirit” is being used by the Indigenous queer community to help them claim not just their gender identity, but their ethnic and spiritual heritage, too.
The term “Two Spirit” became official in 1990, to describe Native American people who are believed to be blessed with both male and female spirits. But the concept of gender fluidity has existed in Native culture for centuries. In this episode of BESE Explains, Paola Ramos tells us how a group that was once celebrated by its community has had to fight to keep itself from being erased.
Two-Spirit Reconciliation: Honouring the Truth; Reconciling for the Future.
Presented by Harlan Pruden and Bear Smith at Summit 2018 hosted by Community-Based Research Centre.
Frameline – Two Spirit
An overview of historical and contemporary Native American concepts of gender, sexuality and sexual orientation. This documentary explores the berdache tradition in Native American culture, in which individuals who embody feminine and masculine qualities act as a conduit between the physical and spiritual world, and because of this are placed in positions of power within the community.
Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation’s only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media arts. Frameline Voices is a new digital initiative that showcases diverse LGBT stories and expands access to films by and about people of color, transgender people, youth, and elders.
Two Spirit Mini-Documentary
Megan Mitchell, Cliff Naylor – KFYR-TV