Indigenous Realities

LGBTQ+/Two-Spirit people and families have always been part of Indigenous traditions.  It wasn’t until the imposition of new values, a binary gendered system and prescribed social roles by the colonists that Indigenous LGBTQ+/Two-Spirit lost their visible place in the circle of their communities and nations.

Historically, Two-Spirit people have often undertaken caregiving and teaching roles for the children in their communities. Taking on parenting roles when needed, as well as mentoring the young in rites and customs, were some of the key social roles of the Two-Spirit people in many Indigenous nations of Turtle Island.