Celebrating the Two Spirit People
Snohomish County CASA
Court Appointed Special Advocate at Snohomish County, WA
June is a month full of celebrations. While it’s LGBTQIA+ Pride month, it is also a time to celebrate and recognize Native American Two Spirit community members.??
According to the Naya Family Center, “Two Spirit is a term used by some Native American communities to describe individuals who possess both male and female spirits. These individuals have been revered and respected in many Native American cultures for their unique gifts and abilities. Historically, Two Spirit people were often seen as healers, spiritual leaders, and caretakers.” European colonizers brought with them to this land an extremely binary view of sexuality and gender, which resulted in Two Spirit people hiding their identities to avoid persecution. These effects of colonization are lasting, as Two Spirit people continue to face discrimination and marginalized hardships in our society. Both the queer and Native American lived experiences lack societal support and resources to thrive.?
Despite these struggles, many Two Spirit people are embracing their identities and are working to create safe, inclusive spaces such as the Two Spirit Safe Space Alliance (TSSSA), where they and future generations can express themselves freely. Two Spirit individuals are also oftentimes at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ movements. To learn more about Two Spirit people and the LGBTQIA+ community, please visit: https://nayapdx.org/blog/2023/06/01/celebrating-our-two-spirit-community/??
And watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KADEHj7wYG0?
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