groundworkforchange.ca
  • WELCOME
    • ABOUT >
      • What are the goals of this site?
      • Who is this site meant for?
      • Who created and updates this site?
      • Are there other sites I should check out? (Answer: Yes!)
    • Great websites to learn more
    • Wet'suwet'en Strong
    • #LoveforTina - Information & Solidarity Resources
    • #justiceforColten
  • GETTING STARTED
    • TERMS & CONCEPTS >
      • What is settler colonialism?
      • What about racism and forms of racism?
      • What is an "ally"?
      • What does "settler" mean?
      • What is White privilege? White fragility?
      • Does reverse racism exist? What about being "colour blind"?
      • What is decolonization?
      • What is meant by Indigenous sovereignty?
      • Have a question about other terms?
    • SOME BASICS >
      • Terminology
      • Urban Indigenous Peoples-Winnipeg focus
      • First Nations Communities in Manitoba
      • The Inuit
      • Two-Spirit
      • The Métis
      • Treaties
      • The Indian Act
      • The Royal Proclamation; The Constitution; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
      • Major Inquiries and Reports
  • ISSUES & TOPICS
    • Residential Schools
    • The Sixties Scoop
    • Missing and Murdered Women, Girls and Two-Spirit
    • Taxation, Funding & Myths
    • Child Welfare Systems
    • Aboriginal Title; Land and Water Rights
    • Treaty Land Entitlement; Urban Reserves
    • Cultural Appropriation
    • On settler claims to Indigenous identity
    • Rooster Town
    • Shoal Lake Water
    • On the International Stage
    • Canada 150 - Indigenous Perspectives
  • KEEP ON LEARNING
    • Great websites to learn more
    • Having crucial conversations
    • Recommended Reads

Two-Spirit

"Traditional perspectives on being gay, lesbian, bisexual, two spirit or transgender" - WE R NATIVE
WE R NATIVE is a health site for Indigenous youth (U.S.-based). This is a short article talking about how gender traditionally seen as something fluid within Indigenous cultures.  It also talks about how sex and relationships were not limited by a person's gender. Finally it talks about how people of all genders and sexual orientations were valued by their communities.

A Tribe Called Queer - Jon Roth, Out Magazine
Article giving some history of Two-Spirit peoples in Indigenous cultures and the effects of colonial policies and actions on Two-Spirit peoples.  It also gives examples of Two-Spirit peoples today who are fighting for their rights and claiming and celebrating their identities.

How We Find Ourselves: Identity Development and Two-Spirit People - Alex Wilson, Harvard Educational Review
An article talking about the development of personal identity.  The writer talks about the meaning of the term "Two-Spirit" and ideas of gender, sexual identity and sexuality in Indigenous societies.  The middle of the article has an account of some of the writer's personal life experiences.

Queering Culture - broadcast of RN, a part of the Australian Broadcasting Network
A recording of a conversation among queer and Indigenous studies scholars, answering questions such as "
Is the right to be who you are - in terms of gender and sexuality - another form of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination? And - does it matter whether or not there’s a precedent for homosexuality and gender diversity in traditional culture?"

Journey of Indigenous Gender Identity (video) - story posted by Kelly Malone
The personal story of Jack Saddleback, a transgender man raised on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta.  There is both text and a 22-minute video.  The article also includes basic information about the history of Two-Spirit People in North America.

Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.
A group whose mission is "to improve the quality of life of Two-Spirit (Aboriginal gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans) people in Manitoba, which includes raising funds for and assisting in providing appropriate advocacy, education, health services, housing, employment training and cultural development."

Two-Spirited Collection - University of Winnipeg Archives
The University of Winnipeg Archives houses the "Two-Spirited Movement" archives, donated by Albert McLeod.  There are materials covering the history of the movement from 1983-2013, including scrapbooks, drawing and prints, videos and photographs.  At August, 2015 the collection was not online.  It can be viewed in person at the Archives.  The page above gives a detailed description of what can be found in the collection.

Journal of Global Indigeneity: Volume 1, Issue 1 (2015) Cultured Queer / Queering Culture symposium
Several articles and videos from Indigenous presenters from 
Australia, Aotearoa, United States and Canada.


This site is based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. ​
  • WELCOME
    • ABOUT >
      • What are the goals of this site?
      • Who is this site meant for?
      • Who created and updates this site?
      • Are there other sites I should check out? (Answer: Yes!)
    • Great websites to learn more
    • Wet'suwet'en Strong
    • #LoveforTina - Information & Solidarity Resources
    • #justiceforColten
  • GETTING STARTED
    • TERMS & CONCEPTS >
      • What is settler colonialism?
      • What about racism and forms of racism?
      • What is an "ally"?
      • What does "settler" mean?
      • What is White privilege? White fragility?
      • Does reverse racism exist? What about being "colour blind"?
      • What is decolonization?
      • What is meant by Indigenous sovereignty?
      • Have a question about other terms?
    • SOME BASICS >
      • Terminology
      • Urban Indigenous Peoples-Winnipeg focus
      • First Nations Communities in Manitoba
      • The Inuit
      • Two-Spirit
      • The Métis
      • Treaties
      • The Indian Act
      • The Royal Proclamation; The Constitution; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
      • Major Inquiries and Reports
  • ISSUES & TOPICS
    • Residential Schools
    • The Sixties Scoop
    • Missing and Murdered Women, Girls and Two-Spirit
    • Taxation, Funding & Myths
    • Child Welfare Systems
    • Aboriginal Title; Land and Water Rights
    • Treaty Land Entitlement; Urban Reserves
    • Cultural Appropriation
    • On settler claims to Indigenous identity
    • Rooster Town
    • Shoal Lake Water
    • On the International Stage
    • Canada 150 - Indigenous Perspectives
  • KEEP ON LEARNING
    • Great websites to learn more
    • Having crucial conversations
    • Recommended Reads