2S/Indigiqueer Pasts, Presents, and Futures

Question 1

Describe 4 characteristics of pre-contact Indigienous gender and sexuality norms?

Answer 1

1. playfulness and fluiditiy
2. both serious and humourous
3. young ones encouraged to try on different expressions and community roles
4. changing your mind is totally okay

Question 2

What do the terms “aakii’skassi” and “saahkomaapi’aakiikoan” mean in Peigna (Blackfoot)?

Answer 2

• “aakii’skassi” = acts like a woman – transwoman
• “saahkomaapi’aakiikoan” = boy-girl – transman

Question 3

What do the terms “ayahkwew,” “inahpikashot,” “iskewehkan,” “napehkwan” mean in Nehiyawak (cree)?

Answer 3

• “ayahkwew” = a man dressed/living/accepted as woman – transwoman
• “inahpikashot” = a woman dressed/living/accepted as a man – transman
• “iskewehkan” = fake woman – transwoman
• “napehkwan” = fake man – transman

Question 4

what does the term”bote/bate/bade” mean in Crow?

Answer 4

not man, not woman – gender non-binary

Question 5

what do the terms “qaigajuariit” and “angutauqatigiik” mean in Inuit?

Answer 5

• qaigajuariit = two soft things rubbing together – lesbian
• angutauqatigiik = two hard things rubbing together – gay

Question 6

what does “nadleeh” mean in Navajo?

Answer 6

one in constant state of change/one who changes, shapeshifter – transgender

Question 7

what does “mixu’ga” mean in omaha/osage/ponaga?

Answer 7

instructed by the moon – transwoman (even if you don’t have a cycle, the moon still watches you)

Question 8

what does “m’netwokew” and “manito” mean in potawatomi?

Answer 8

• m’netwokew = supernatural or extraordinary – transwoman, spiritual connection
• manito = a word for creator/god/spirit plus feminine suffix

Question 9

what are three roles of gender diverse folks?

Answer 9

1. change makers – somone who sees things differently, and moves the community forwards
2. gap fillers – mediation, peace making, leadership, midwiferey, medicine, ceremony, warriors
3. gender not just about who you are but how you support the community

Question 10

what is colonization?

Answer 10

the action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area, an ongoing process, not an historical event, that continues to attempt to displace, diregard, and oppress Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing

Question 11

what are 4 impacts of colonization?

Answer 11

1. colonists saw the peoples here through a European patriarchial Christain lens
2. thought that the gender and sexual diversity they saw was sinful and wrong
3. “berdache” – colonizers used to describe indigenous queer people – derogatory term
4. thought it was their duty to change the indigenous peoples way of being

Question 12

how was heteronormativity introduced?

Answer 12

residental schools introduced and reinforced the heternormative gender binary through violent means

Question 13

what are 3 ongoing effects of colonization on indigenous gender diversity?

Answer 13

1. generations of 2S and indigiqueer folks affected by intersecting layers of discrimination and stigma
2. to protect 2S folks from targeted violence, many communities his 2S folks and stopped passing on 2S teachings
3. internalized homophobia and transphobia persists within the Indigenous community

Question 14

what are 5 experiences and struggles of 2S people?

Answer 14

1. devestating levels of poverty
2. report feeeling unsafe in the healthcare system
3. high frequency of being foced out of communities/homes/families because of their sexual or gender indentity
4. high rates of depression, anxiety, substance use
5. barriers in access to culturally safe services

Question 15

what are 2 experiences and struggles of 2S youth in schools?

Answer 15

1. 2S students feel unsafe while attending schools
2. lack of safety –> students miss class –> jeopardizes academic and social growth

Question 16

what is the english translation of this anishinaabemowin word: niizh-manidoowag?

Answer 16

two spirit

Question 17

why is the term 2S important for the indigenous community?

Answer 17

• recognized the unique social positioning that being ndigenous and queer affords a person
• two spirit is: healing, decolonial, liberatioin
• accepting and celebrating 2S people is reconilliation

Question 18

what are three definitions of 2S?

Answer 18

1. an umbrella term that refers to all 2SLGBTQ first nations, metis and inuit
2. used to describe a person who has both male and female spirtis within them (most common understanding)
3. a ceremonial or community role rooted in one’s ability to see things from >1 perspective

Question 19

what are the differences between coming out vs coming in for indigenous folks?

Answer 19

coming out

• separation from ideologies of origin
• independence from familial culture
• distancing from origin strory

coming in

• return to indigenous idelogies
• interdependence/collective identity
• reconnection to roots

Question 20

what are 8 things you can do to support, celebrate and affirm 2S and indigiqueer folks?

Answer 20

1. don’t make assumptions about people’s gender or sexula idenitities
2. use everyone’s correct names and pronouns
3. use inclusive and gender-neutral language
4. put 2S at the beginning of LGBTQ
5. promote culturally relevant mental health and crisis resources of 2SLGBTQ indigenous youth and adults
6. provide resources for indigiqueer colleagues, students, clients, and friends to connect to their culture
7. continously work towards decolonizing your ideologies, practices and beliefs
8. tell your indigiqueer friends and colleagues that their gender and sexual idenitity is sacred and that they are so loved and appreciated just for being who they are