Description
The term Two Spirit was adopted in Winnipeg in 1990 by activist Albert McLeod, who proposed its use during the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference. The term is a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term, niizh manidoowag, two spirits.
Many of the Indigenous people from these lands and from communities across North America recognized 5 gender identities, including female, male, two spirit female, two spirit male and transgender. People who were born two spirited were considered sacred to experience gender diversity and being two spirit was seen as a beautiful gift.
The two spirit identity was created specifically for the Indigenous community and is not to be taken up by non-indigenous individuals. Unfortunately, two spirit traditions and culture were erased by genocide and colonization and this damage was amplified by the forced assimilation that took place in the residential school systems. The Indigenous community is now on the pathway to reclaiming this almost lost identity as well as their history.
