Two-Spirit

Definition

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous North American people to describe individuals who exhibit both masculine and feminine spirits. It is a cultural and spiritual identity that has been recognized in many Indigenous communities for centuries, encompassing a range of gender expressions and sexual orientations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'Two-Spirit' was coined in 1990 at the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian Conference as a way to reclaim traditional Indigenous gender identities and expressions.
2. Two-Spirit individuals were often respected and held in high regard in many Indigenous cultures, serving as spiritual leaders, healers, and mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds.
3. The colonial legacy of gender and sexual norms imposed by European settlers led to the suppression and erasure of Two-Spirit identities, which are now being reclaimed and celebrated by many Indigenous communities.
4. Two-Spirit individuals may express their gender and sexuality in a wide range of ways, and the specific cultural understandings and practices vary across different Indigenous nations and tribes.
5. Recognizing and honoring Two-Spirit identities is an important aspect of Indigenous philosophy, as it acknowledges the inherent diversity and fluidity of gender and sexuality within traditional worldviews.

Review Questions

• Explain the cultural and historical significance of the Two-Spirit identity within Indigenous philosophy.
  • In many Indigenous cultures, Two-Spirit individuals were revered for their ability to embody both masculine and feminine spirits, and were often seen as having special spiritual gifts and responsibilities. They played important roles as healers, mediators, and spiritual leaders within their communities. The suppression of Two-Spirit identities due to the colonial legacy of gender and sexual norms imposed by European settlers has led to the erasure of this important aspect of Indigenous philosophy, which is now being reclaimed and celebrated by many Indigenous communities as a way to honor the inherent diversity and fluidity of gender and sexuality within traditional worldviews.
• Describe the relationship between the Two-Spirit identity and the concepts of gender identity and sexual orientation within the context of Indigenous philosophy.
  • The Two-Spirit identity transcends Western constructs of gender and sexuality, recognizing the inherent fluidity and diversity of gender expression and sexual orientation within traditional Indigenous worldviews. Two-Spirit individuals may identify and express their gender and sexuality in a wide range of ways, which are often deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices. This understanding challenges the rigid binary notions of gender and sexuality imposed by colonial ideologies, and instead embraces the inherent complexity and interconnectedness of these aspects of identity within Indigenous philosophy.
• Analyze how the reclamation and celebration of Two-Spirit identities is an important aspect of decolonizing and revitalizing Indigenous philosophies.
  • The reclamation and celebration of Two-Spirit identities is a crucial aspect of decolonizing and revitalizing Indigenous philosophies. By honoring the traditional roles and spiritual significance of Two-Spirit individuals within their communities, Indigenous peoples are asserting their sovereignty and self-determination in the face of the colonial legacy of gender and sexual norms. This process of reclamation and revitalization not only acknowledges the inherent diversity and fluidity of gender and sexuality within traditional worldviews, but also challenges the imposition of Western, binary constructs that have sought to erase and suppress these important aspects of Indigenous identity and philosophy. The recognition and empowerment of Two-Spirit individuals is therefore a vital step in the broader movement to decolonize and reclaim Indigenous knowledge, practices, and ways of being.

Related terms

Gender Identity: An individual's internal sense of being male, female, neither, or other gender(s).

Gender Expression: The way an individual expresses their gender through clothing, behavior, interests, and other external characteristics.

Sexual Orientation: An individual's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to other people, regardless of their gender.