Library and Academic Services: Gender and Sexual Diversity: Two-Spirit People

What does Two-Spirit Mean?

The 2S in 2SLGBTQIA+ stands for “two-spirit.”

The term two-spirit (also spelled 2-spirit or two-spirited) was coined by Myra Laramee in 1990. Two-spirit means different things to different people and different communities. One of the most commonly cited understandings of the term is a person who possesses both masculine and feminine spirits; however, two-spirit is used throughout English-speaking communities on Turtle Island to distinguish the wide variety of Indigenous concepts of gender and sexual diversity as separate from the European gender binary, which was violently imposed on Indigenous communities through Christianization and the residential school system. Within Indigenous cosmologies, gender and sexual diversity are viewed holistically, with people of many genders and sexualities holding important roles in families and communities.

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Webpages, media, and other resources

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
2-Spirit people were often the visionaries, the healers and the medicine people, respected as fundamental components of our ancient culture and societies. This is our guiding force as well as our source of strength. This is the heart of 2-Spirited People of the First Nations.
2SLGBTQQIA (The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC))
A collection of links to resources and publications on 2SLGBTQQIA
2SLGBTQQIA Fact Sheet (NWAC)
A breakdown of terminology
2Spirit Manitoba Inc.
2Spirit Manitoba is an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of 2Spirit (Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ People).
2SpiritYouth
2SiMS launched 2SpiritYouth.ca in November 2021 with the support of it’s funding partner ‘Indigenous Services Canada’ accompanied by the mandate to produce a digital space that shares the ‘Good News’ for and by 2 Spirit / Indigiqueer / LGBTQIAA+ Indigenous Youth across colonially defined ‘Canada’.
Two-spirit and LGBTQ indigenous health.
While the health disparities between Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) people in what is now known as Canada and their non-Indigenous peers are well documented, little research exists on the unique health needs of sexual and gender minority individuals who identify as Indigenous
Two-Spirit Archives (University of Winnipeg)
This archive highlights the history of Two-Spirit people in Manitoba and the rest of North America. The collection consists of newspaper articles, photographs, poetry, correspondences and more. This archive is believed to be one of the comprehensive collections in Canada. Their online collection that is free to browse.
Two-Spirit Michif Local
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.
Two Spirit People of the First Nations (Rainbow Resource Centre)
A brochure published by the Rainbow Resource Centre outlining the origin and tradition of the Two Spirit People.
Two Spirits, One Voice (Egale)
Two Spirits, One Voice is an initiative that seeks to bolster support for persons that identify both as LGBTQI and Indigenous –Two Spirit people. This video, funded through both theTegan and Sara Foundation and Laidlaw Foundation, attempts to educate the general public on the history and barriers that impact Two Spirit people in Canada.
Native Youth Sexual Health Network - You are made of medicine
A Mental Health Peer Support Manual for Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+, and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous youth

BESE Explains: Two Spirit

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.

Reports & Publications

An Introduction to the Health of Two-Spirit People: Historical, Contemporary and Emergent Issues by Sarah Hunt, National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
Two-Spirit is a term that encompasses a broad range of sexual and gender identities of Aboriginal peoples, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). This paper, authored by Dr. Sarah Hunt, introduces the historical, contemporary and emergent issues related to Two-Spirit health. Integral to this discussion is that Two-Spirit health is understood within the context of colonialism and heteropatriarchy, as well as in the current resurgence of Two-Spirit peoples' gender roles and sexual identities.
Cameron, M. (2005). Two-spirited Aboriginal people: Continuing cultural appropriation by non-Aboriginal society. Canadian Woman Studies, 24(2,3), 123-127.
I have noticed an increasing trend of non-Aboriginals beginning to self-label using the term two-spirited. "So what's the problem?" you may wonder ...

Library Resources

A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder by Ma-Nee Chacaby; Mary Louisa Plummer (As told to)
Location: ebook
Publication Date: 2016
A compelling, harrowing, but ultimately uplifting story of resilience and self-discovery."A Two-Spirit Journey" is Ma-Nee Chacaby's extraordinary account of her life as an Ojibwa-Cree lesbian. From her early, often harrowing memories of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa community riven by poverty and alcoholism, Chacaby's story is one of enduring and ultimately overcoming the social, economic, and health legacies of colonialism. ...
Two-Spirit People: Native American Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality by Sue-Ellen Jacobs, Wesley Thomas, Sabine Lang (Editors)
Location: E 98 .S48 T86 1997 (Located at NDC)
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, transgendered, and other "marked" Native Americans. Focusing on the concept of two-spirit people--individuals not necessarily gay or lesbian, transvestite or bisexual, but whose behaviors or beliefs may sometimes be interpreted by others as uncharacteristic of their sex--this book is the first to provide an intimate look at how many two-spirit people feel about themselves, how other Native Americans treat them, and how anthropologists and other scholars interpret them and their cultures. 1997 Winner of the Ruth Benedict Prize for an edited book given by the Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists.
Niish Manidoowag (Two-Spirited Beings) by Debbie S. Mishibinijima, National Film Board
Location: Streaming video
Publication Date: 2017
Four youth travel Bebamikawe Trail on Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation Territory. Two of the youths are Two Spirited and discuss the confrontations and acceptance that they have encountered within their community and how it has affected their ability to experience and learn their culture. Long before the settlers arrived to Turtle Island (aka North America), there existed a Two Spirit Society in many tribal communities. The Two Spirited people were revered and treated with respect and equality. They were sought for their wisdom, healing and visions. Once a child had reached the age of puberty, a special ceremony was held. The child would enter a lodge, and pick either a basket or a bow. The item chosen helped to provide guidance on whether the feminine or masculine role would be the path followed. The Two Spirit Society was quickly abolished with the arrival of settlers.

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