Niizhojichaagwijig Niganawenimaanaanig Ezhichigewin
About
Our Two-Spirit program engages in decolonizing gender roles and identities within our Native and First Nations communities. We work to restore gender balance through honoring the entire gender spectrum that exists in our communities. We work by and for our individuals, families, and communities who need safe and supportive spaces. Also our work focuses on sovereignty and cultural resurgence as well as the restoration that we deserve. We do this work through our culturally based healing stories, talking circles, workshops, gatherings and other forms of community engagement.
Two-Spirit’s have largely been ignored in colonial LGBTQ+ “movements,” in the US and Canada. We are still here and we have been resisting since colonization. Colonial social justice and colonial political ideology erases, excludes, and denies space for Two-Spirit people. As a Two-Spirit led organization we emphasize and strive to center Two-Spirit’s in this program.
Gender binaries, homophobia, colonial social constructions around gender identity, gender expression as well as sexual orientation didn’t exist in our communities prior to colonization. Two-Spirit’s traditionally brought balance and healing into our communities. Two-Spirit is an umbrella pan-Native American term its describes gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. Some Two-Spirit’s may align with colonial LGBTQ+ identities while others may not. However, keep in mind that Two-Spirit is not for non-Native people. You can’t appropriate our culture because our identities as Two-Spirits on Turtle Island have always been. For each Two-Spirit based in their specific tribal tradition there may be a unique name in the language that honors who they are. We are still decolonizing and still learning so not everyone will know the words to describe how they identify.
As we do this work we discover the ways our communities have been deeply impacted by harmful gender binaries through colonization. Our work seeks to create safety and greater awareness for who we are as Two-Spirit people. We honor everyone’s stories as we work on healing and decolonization in Anishinaabe Aki and beyond.
Definitions & Terminologies – Anishinaabemowin
Below are definitions and terminologies in Anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language). Please note that these are for our people and communities across the Anishinaabe Nation. Learn them to understand the vastness and inclusivity that has existed in our communities for a very long time but please don’t appropriate our culture. Chi miigwech to Meg Noodin and Kai Minosh Pyle for their assistance on these terminologies!
- Aanjikwe – Female who has changed.
- Aanjid – Non-binary person who has changed.
- Aanjinini – Male who has changed.
- Agokwa – Alternate term for Two Spirit – The term implies someone with an identity that has a broader range and may indicate they perform roles not traditionally assigned to their biological gender.
- Eyekwe – This term is used by elders in some areas to mean someone who was perceived as male at birth but who lives as a woman, i.e. a trans woman. Elders were asked if there was a version of this for the reverse (trans men) but none of them knew of one.
- Ininikaazo and ikwekaazo – The literal meaning of these terms imply a sense of temporary shift of identity which is important for some to clarify (i.e. members of the drag community).
- Niizhojichaagwijig – Ones with Two Spirits.
- Niizh manidoog – The literal meaning of this term is “two spirits” which would mean two spirits of any kind in Anishinaabemowin. However, this term is often used to be inclusive by those who use the Two-Spirit in English.
- Ogichidaakwe – Used for Two-Spirit who identifies as female and also used as a term for female leader or activist.
- Wiin / Wiinawaa – One or more people with no need to identify as male or female.
Upcoming Events
If you would like to learn more about our work or to host a project, fathering, workshop, healing stories, or talking circle in your community, please contact us! Currently, we are planning project and events in 2023, so please reach out if you are interested in working with us!
