I have often heard individuals refer to the "LGBTQ" community, but rarely do they remember to include, or even know of the other "T" which stands for Two-spirited. Very little people know of the story behind the term "Two-spirited" which is incredible considering that the the Two-spirited person is " a native tradition that researchers have been able to date to some of the earliest discoveries of Native artifacts" Roscoe (1991) also writes that “ male and female two-spirits have been documented in over 130 tribes, in every region of North America, among every type of native culture.”
In the indigenous tradtion, The term Two-spirit refers to the concept of individuals having dual spirits. Early explores of North America referred to this concept as “ berdache” and imposed this name onto them, which upset the indigenous people. Therefore, Two-spirited is preferred as it emerged from indigenous people whereas berdache was imposed upon Native American’s by the colonial explorers. (Jacobs, 1997)
Prior to colonization, Indigenous people believed that there were three genders: the male, the female and the male-female gender, or in other words the two-spirited person. Although in today’s times, the two-spirited person would be considered an outcast of society, this was not the case in native tradition. Indigenous people believed that to be Two-spirited was a gift from the Creator himself.
It was believed that these individuals had been blessed with the ability to understand the world from two different perspectives at the very same time. Two-spirited people could do so, because they housed both male and female spirits in one body. It was believed that Two-spirited people had a special gift and this gift must be shared within the community, and so they were given distinct deeds among their tribes. As McGill(2006) writes: “This greater vision was a gift to be shared with all, and as such, Two-spirited beings were revered as leaders, mediators, teachers, artists, seers, and spiritual guides. They were treated with the greatest respect, and held important spiritual and ceremonial responsibilities”.
It can easily be said that being two-spirited was a valuable and well-respected way of being and others viewed it on a positive regard, however this all changed with colonization. The arrival of the Europeans completely destroyed Native traditions including that of Two-spirited people. The Europeans enforced their traditions and values onto indigenous people and many Native traditions, including that of the Two-spirited way were destroyed.
As LaFramboise (2008) writes “The arrival of the Europeans was marked by the imposition of foreign views and values on Native spirituality, family life and traditions. The missionary churches' views on sexuality, for example, created many new taboos. Many traditions, including that of the Two-spirited were eradicated or at least driven underground from many tribes of North America. Once honored, Two-spirited people were shamed, beaten, killed, isolated and driven from their homes.”
As a result of the impact of colonization, most tribes have forgotten the two-spirit teachings. As LaFramboise, 2008) noted, “elders who may know the stories and teachings are often afraid to talk about them because of their experiences in Residential Schools and other forms of colonialization”. In consequence, Two-spirited people are plagued with homophobia by others, whereas their ancestors would have treated them witht he utmost respect. It is sad to see taht most indigenous people have little knowledge of two-spirited people, this has been a tremendous loss to all indigenous people.
- Brigitte Tetrault
References
Gilley, Brian Joseph (2006: 8). Becoming Two-Spirit: Gay Identity and Social Acceptance in Indian Country
Roscoe, Will (1991). The Zuni Man-Woman, p.5. ISBN 0826312535
Jacobs, S. (1997). Two-spirit people: Native American gender, identity,sexuality and spirituality . Illinois, USA : Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois .
Laframboise, S., & Anhorn, M. (n.d.). Dancing to Eagle Spirit Society - TWO SPIRITED PEOPLE. DANCING TO EAGLE SPIRIT SOCIETY ~ Serving the two spirited community and their allies. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org
Two-spirited people. (2006, May 26). McGill University. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.mcgill.ca/interaction/mission/twospirit//
Thanks for sharing your post on two-spirted peoples. While reading your post, a question kept occuring to me, "what would our world be like today for two-spirited peoples if their way of life was not eradicated by Europeans?" Going forward, I feel that it is important for social workers and other human service providers to be knowledgable about the history of two-spirited peoples (as well as LGBTTQ* groups). In order to help Two-spirited people, I feel one must know the historical struggles they have endured in order to know what steps to take to move forward.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie M.