Two-Spirited peoples... recognize, accept and acknowledge them because they are here to stay!

The above YouTube video describes the significant role of traditional Two-Spirited peoples from a traditional Aboriginal perspective.

In order to understand the struggles endured by Two-Spirited peoples in today’s society, Canadians must educate themselves in terms of the traumatic and historical events Two-Spirited peoples have endured. Prior to European contact, an Aboriginal perspective on Two-Spirited individuals was historically a positive one. Today, although this view has been altered, there is a movement among Aboriginal peoples, Two-Spirited peoples and health care providers to further implement social programs that will better assist Two-Spirited people.

Prior to the attempts made by Euro-Canadians to colonize First Nations peoples, Two-Spirited people held special status in their Aboriginal communities. For instance, they were traditionally viewed as “mediators; keepers of certain ceremonies; transcending the accepted roles of men and women in many cases filling the roles an established middle gender” (“2-Spirited People of the 1^st Nations Our Relatives Said,” 2008, p. 8). In addition, Two-Spirited individuals were, “valued and respected teachers, healers, care givers educators and if need be, warriors” (2-Spirited People of the 1^st Nations, n.d., p. 2). This positive regard towards Two-Spirited people became eradicated by Christian values, especially in the residential school system where they were subjected to physical, sexual, emotional and mental abuse, more so than other Aboriginal students who did not identify as Two-Spirited (2-Spirited People of the 1^st Nations, n.d.).

Despite the negative experiences throughout their colonization, many Aboriginal peoples have been able to remain resilient and are striving to a better future for future generations. For example, there has been a positive movement by Two-Spirited peoples and their supporters to implement social programs that would better assist Two-Spirited peoples, as many are still affected by the traumatic occurrences of the historical and current treatment of their people. According to 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations (n.d.), Two-Spirited people are “once again reclaiming their place as respected members of the Aboriginal community (p. 32). 

Cultural service providers have become more sensitive to the issues of Two-Spirited people, which has allowed them to provide better care for members of this population (“2-Spirited People of the 1^st Nations Our Relatives Said,” 2008). There are health policies in place that support Aboriginal and Two-Spirited peoples, and one organization that has influenced Canadian health policies is the 2-Spirited Peoples of the 1^st First Nations, an organization formed in Toronto, in 1989. For instance, the organization has teamed up with “provincial and federal health care funders to provide Hepatitis and HIV clinics, conduct a needle exchange program, and develop a culturally appropriate palliative care program” (“What Health Providers Can Learn,” 2005, para. 5).

Another organization that is supportive of Two-Spirited peoples is the Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition (CRHC). According to “What Health Providers Can Learn” (2005), the CRHC aspires to “improve GLBT and 2-Spirited peoples' access to care through the education of health care professionals and the enlargement of the capacity of communities” (para. 6).  Furthermore, the authors have “partnered with Canadian medical schools… [to] implement a 2-Spirited health curriculum that will be part of a full course devoted to [LGBTTQ*] health” (2005, para. 10). This curriculum will be first practiced in Toronto and then expanded nationwide, including Two-Spirited communities in Canada (“What Health Providers Can Learn,” 2005). This curriculum will recognize the historical past of Aboriginal peoples, especially Two-Spirited peoples, and will be culturally sensitive while providing suitable care in the medical field through Hepatitis and HIV clinics, for example. (“What Health Providers Can Learn,” 2005). It has been recognized by the CHRC and 2-Spirited Peoples of the 1^st Nations to incorporate guest speakers into the classroom, such as Aboriginal leaders and Elders, and to focus on Aboriginal and Two-Spirited peoples’ “culture, traditions, health issues and health access” (“What Health Providers Can Learn,” 2005, para. 14). I feel that by recognizing the historical and current issues of Aboriginal peoples and those who identify as Two-Spirited, medical professionals will be better able to assist them while providing medical care. According to Morrissette (2006), “[t]o forget these things is to bring dishonour to Aboriginal ancestors and to dismiss the sacrifices they have made for keeping a way of life alive...” (p. 164). 

One Aboriginal belief is that it takes a village to raise a child. With this belief in mind, Canadian society needs to implement social policies that will be beneficial to Two-Spirited peoples. As a result, our society will become more accepting and nurturing of Two-Spirited peoples in their attempts to seek out medical help. In addition, I feel that it is important to include traditional Elders as well as Two-Spirited peoples as guest speakers in educational settings as they hold a vast array of practical knowledge of their history, their people and how we as a society can better assist them while implementing programs and policies that will help them thrive in our cultural mosaic.

-Stephanie M.

References

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.  ( n.d.).  What health care providers can learn: A history of 2 spirited people.  Retrieved from http://www.2spirits.com/AHistoryof2SpiritedPeople.pdf

2-Spirited people of the 1st Nations our relatives said: A wise practices guide voices of Aboriginal Trans people. (2008). 1-32.  Retrieved from http://www.2spirits.com/2Spirits Transgender Training Manual.pdf

McGill University.  (2006). Two-spirited people.  Retrieved from http://www.mcgill.ca/interaction/mission/twospirit/

Morrissette, V. (2006). Towards an Aboriginal perspective that addresses ideological domination in social policy analysis. In Chapter 5: Implications for Social Work, 162-189. (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.

What health providers can learn: There are two-education steps to a healthy patient relationship with 2-Spirit people. (2005).  Retrieved from http://www.2spirits.com/Healthcare.html

DGA Productions (2007, February 16). Children of the Rainbow, Pt. 5 - 2-Spirit History [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwDqCdQ2NP4&feature=player_embedded