The Two-Spirit Program at Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) is calling upon our relations, government officials, policy makers, hereditary leaders and allies across Turtle Island to proclaim and celebrate Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the spring equinox, as Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day in Canada.
“We create brave spaces for people to come together to reveal themselves, maybe for the first time,” says Jaylene McRae, Two-Spirit Research Coordinator at CBRC. “Each day as we walk on this earth, we have an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other. Showing up in a good way, we foster environments of freedom and strength as Two-Spirit people for Two-Spirit people.”
After two successful years of recognition of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day in British Columbia, we are encouraging relative organizations to join us in the proclamation and celebration of this day in honour of the amazing power and resurgence of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people worldwide. Advocated by members of the Two-Spirit community to recognize and celebrate the radiance and diversity of Two-Spirit identities, expression and experience, Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day is an annual day of joy and festivity. It is intended for all our Two-Spirit and Indigenous queer and trans relatives, as well as our allies, co-conspirators, families and friends.
In addition to activities in Vancouver, this year’s event will include associate celebrations in Edmonton (Edmonton 2 Spirit Society), Saskatoon (2 Spirits in Motion Society and 2Spirit Alliance of Saskatchewan), Toronto (2-Spirited People of the First Nations) and Sault Ste. Marie (2S Organizing Committee of Bawating), with more to be added. We encourage Two-Spirit organizations, leaders, scholars, advocates, activists, Elders and community members to host local events, demonstrations and celebrations in solidarity with these events on March 19, 2024.
“Reconnecting to my Two-Spirit identity has inspired me to pave the way for future generations of Two-Spirit kin to thrive in research, health and education,” says Skye Wilson, Two-Spirit Research Assistant at CBRC. “For me, reconnecting to Two-Spirit communities has empowered me to reach my goals and connect with our culture, history and futures. Our communities deserve to see each other’s success, joy and kinship; there they will find their pathways to success and sense of belonging. Together we can create a world where Two-Spirit people are celebrated.”
“Two-Spirit is a way of identifying that is unique to Indigenous people; the resurgence and movement happening across Turtle Island is a recognition of that distinction and the strength within it,” says Martin Morberg, Two-Spirit Program Coordinator at CBRC. “We resist tokenization, appropriation and assimilation. Instead, we invite allies, co-conspirators, supporters and advocates to join us in centring, elevating and celebrating Two-Spirit people through their resurgence of activism, Indigenous-led initiatives, leadership development, community engagement and reclamation.”
EVENT IN VANCOUVER
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the Two-Spirit Program at CBRC will be hosting a day of activities in Vancouver, located on the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The event will take place at The Junction (1138 Davie Street), from 1 PM to 6 PM, and will begin with an Opening Ceremony with Coast Salish Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The rest of the afternoon will feature cultural performances, speakers, a Two-Spirit talk show, live entertainment and drag performances by local Indigenous artists.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Bringing sexuality back into our Medicine Wheel,” and we will be inviting the community to join us in an open dialogue session to celebrate and bring awareness to our sexualities as Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ people. Everyone is welcome.
HOST YOUR OWN EVENT
We invite community members and organizations with a vested interest in this progress to join in this celebration by hosting their own events within their respective communities to elevate and recognize the role of Two-Spirit people. With an emphasis on inclusion, the aim of these events is to further engage with the community in knowledge sharing through rallies, public forums, gatherings and media representation on the historical and contemporary role that Two-Spirit people hold in Indigenous self-determination and community care. We want to create space for community to join the conversation and determine how we can move forward. Community members and organizations who host their own events are encouraged to share them with the Two-Spirit Team at CBRC to spread the word. To get in touch, please write to [email protected] or [email protected].
ABOUT THE TWO-SPIRIT PROGRAM
The Two-Spirit Program at CBRC is an Indigenous-led program that has been active in the Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ community for the past four years. During this time, the team has hosted numerous events, including their annual Two-Spirit Symposium. Through this active and meaningful community engagement, the Two-Spirit Program has recognized that more work and effort is needed to confront shame-based colonial narratives on queer sexuality that results in 2SLGBTQQIA+ experiences of homophobia, transphobia and various forms of stigma and discrimination. The Two-Spirit journey of reclamation and resurgence includes raising awareness and showing care and support for the diverse sexualities of our Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ communities. Exploring Indigenous approaches to wellness, the Medicine Wheel is a universal tool understood by many Indigenous Nations throughout Turtle Island. Building off this model—emotional, mental, physical and spiritual—that is used to strive toward balance, we understand that our sexuality is a key aspect of our overall health and wellness.
-30-
Media requests:
Christopher DiRaddo
Community-Based Research Centre
514-806-5076
[email protected]
url="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/cbrc/pages/3001/attachments/original/1708465584/PR_Two-Spirit_and_Indigenous_LGBTQQIA__Celebration_and_Awareness_Day_EN_2024.pdf?1708465584
