{"id":334,"date":"2017-02-23T23:04:58","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T23:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/pride\/?p=334"},"modified":"2017-02-23T23:17:46","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T23:17:46","slug":"two-spirit-one-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/pride\/2017\/02\/23\/two-spirit-one-voice\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Spirit, One Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two Spirit, One Voice is a community-based initiative that seeks to\u00a0bolster supports for persons that\u00a0identify both as LGBTQ and Indigenous \u2013Two Spirit people. Please click her for video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From the website<\/a>:<\/h2>\n

Who Are Two Spirited People?<\/h2>\n

\u201cTwo Spirit identity is about circling back to where we belong, reclaiming, reinventing and redefining our beginnings, our roots, our communities, our support systems and our collective and individual selves\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 ALEX\u00a0WILSON<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In 1990, Myra Laramee coined the term Two Spirit, which was adopted at a gathering of native American and Canadian LGBTQ people in Manitoba. Some indigenous people choose to identify as Two Spirit rather than, or in addition to, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer. Prior to European arrival, Two Spirit people were respected members of their communities and were often accorded special status based on their unique abilities to understand both male and female perspectives. These identities were recognized and celebrated from a young age as gifts from the creator; Two Spirit people were often the visionaries, healers and medicine people. The term Two Spirit affirms the interrelatedness of all aspects of identity \u2014 including \u00a0gender, sexuality, community, culture, and spirituality. It is an English term used to stand in for the many indigenous words for those with sexual and gender diverse identities. Many Two Spirit and their teachings were lost due to the impacts of colonization. An understanding of the complexities \u00a0of Two Spirit people, builds wisdom in understanding their culture and intersectionality.<\/p>\n

About\u00a0Two Spirit, One Voice<\/h2>\n

The program is being piloted in 4 communities across Ontario; Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and Kenora. We offer free-of-charge facilitated workshops that guide participants through conversations of equity and inclusion that engage both LGBTQ and indigenous issues in order to reach a more full understanding of barriers, histories, and resiliencies that these populations face. Participants will also be guided through unique resources to better understand best practices for supporting Two Spirit community members.<\/p>\n

Two Spirit Allyship<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cEveryone has a purpose. \u00a0And, the Creator doesn\u2019t make any junk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 WILLARD PINE, ELDER OF GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When it comes physical wellness, mental health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual needs, we need to be mindful of our actions and inactions,.This is the most important idea for practicing allyship for Two Spirit and LGBTQ indigenous people. So what does it mean?<\/p>\n

To be an ally for Two Spirits you need to be against queerphobia and racism. Being an ally requires humility as well as a commitment to listening, learning and challenging your own assumptions.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips for practicing allyship:<\/p>\n