Always so insightful, Julie. I have a couple of questions, which may be silly, but I want to remain inclusive in writings and in conversations. To remain inclusive of everyone, is it appropriate to always include '2S' moving forward when mentioning other LGBTQ+ friends and allies?
Also, does this mean Indigenous people generally did *not* discriminate against each other based on sex, identity, orientation? If so, that's amazing.
Thank you so much, and there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to wanting to be more inclusive and respectful. I appreciate you asking.
I don't have all the answers, but I believe including "2S" (for Two-Spirit) in LGBTQ2S+ is a great practice when you're aiming to acknowledge and include Indigenous identities. Two-Spirit is specific to many Indigenous cultures, and it carries deep spiritual and cultural meaning — it's not just about gender or sexuality, but also sacred roles in community. So, when you're speaking in a pan-Indigenous or inclusive context, especially in Canada or the U.S., adding "2S" is both respectful and powerful.
As for discrimination, before colonization, many Indigenous nations had a much broader and more accepting understanding of gender and roles in society. Two-Spirit people were often seen as gifted, holding both masculine and feminine spirits, and were valued as healers, mediators, and knowledge keepers. That said, not every nation had the exact same understanding, and of course, humans are complex, but generally speaking, many Indigenous societies were far more inclusive than the colonial systems that arrived on these shores.
So yes — it is amazing. And part of the work today is remembering, reclaiming, and honoring that inclusive worldview. 💛
Much of how we relate to our fellow human beings is bred into us by our parents and our society. We all need to have open minds and be willing to explore our differences as human beings and accept that we are all different beings. Many people refuse to accept that.
Your words prove that two-spirit humans have been around since the dawn of human existence. The people that are not willing to accept that, are the same people who have taken over the Republican Party and are running the country. I’m 71 years old and I have so much more respect for the indigenous humans as I continue to learn more and more about how they lived. I recently was given a book to read and I would like your opinion and Simon’s opinion on whether or not it’s credible before I read it.
The book is by Reader’s Digest, “Through Indian Eyes, The Untold Story of Native American Peoples”.
That’s a good place to start—Through Indian Eyes was one of the early attempts by a mainstream publisher to center Native perspectives, and it includes stories, quotes, and artwork that reflect Indigenous worldviews. Just a heads-up though, it’s edited by Reader’s Digest, so while it offers good entry points, the framing is still filtered through a non-Native editorial lens.
If you’re looking to go deeper, I’d also recommend reading works by Native authors themselves—like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, or The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer (Ojibwe). Those voices speak directly from lived experience and cultural knowledge.
Appreciate you asking. Curiosity is where it starts.
Always so insightful, Julie. I have a couple of questions, which may be silly, but I want to remain inclusive in writings and in conversations. To remain inclusive of everyone, is it appropriate to always include '2S' moving forward when mentioning other LGBTQ+ friends and allies?
Also, does this mean Indigenous people generally did *not* discriminate against each other based on sex, identity, orientation? If so, that's amazing.
Thank you so much, and there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to wanting to be more inclusive and respectful. I appreciate you asking.
I don't have all the answers, but I believe including "2S" (for Two-Spirit) in LGBTQ2S+ is a great practice when you're aiming to acknowledge and include Indigenous identities. Two-Spirit is specific to many Indigenous cultures, and it carries deep spiritual and cultural meaning — it's not just about gender or sexuality, but also sacred roles in community. So, when you're speaking in a pan-Indigenous or inclusive context, especially in Canada or the U.S., adding "2S" is both respectful and powerful.
As for discrimination, before colonization, many Indigenous nations had a much broader and more accepting understanding of gender and roles in society. Two-Spirit people were often seen as gifted, holding both masculine and feminine spirits, and were valued as healers, mediators, and knowledge keepers. That said, not every nation had the exact same understanding, and of course, humans are complex, but generally speaking, many Indigenous societies were far more inclusive than the colonial systems that arrived on these shores.
So yes — it is amazing. And part of the work today is remembering, reclaiming, and honoring that inclusive worldview. 💛
Much of how we relate to our fellow human beings is bred into us by our parents and our society. We all need to have open minds and be willing to explore our differences as human beings and accept that we are all different beings. Many people refuse to accept that.
Your words prove that two-spirit humans have been around since the dawn of human existence. The people that are not willing to accept that, are the same people who have taken over the Republican Party and are running the country. I’m 71 years old and I have so much more respect for the indigenous humans as I continue to learn more and more about how they lived. I recently was given a book to read and I would like your opinion and Simon’s opinion on whether or not it’s credible before I read it.
The book is by Reader’s Digest, “Through Indian Eyes, The Untold Story of Native American Peoples”.
That’s a good place to start—Through Indian Eyes was one of the early attempts by a mainstream publisher to center Native perspectives, and it includes stories, quotes, and artwork that reflect Indigenous worldviews. Just a heads-up though, it’s edited by Reader’s Digest, so while it offers good entry points, the framing is still filtered through a non-Native editorial lens.
If you’re looking to go deeper, I’d also recommend reading works by Native authors themselves—like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, or The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer (Ojibwe). Those voices speak directly from lived experience and cultural knowledge.
Appreciate you asking. Curiosity is where it starts.
Thank you Julie. I appreciate your feedback and I will look into acquiring the books you recommended.