Honouring the 35 Anniversary of the Word

Two-Spirit

A Milestone in Indigenous LGBTQ+ Identity

2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the coining of the term "Two-Spirit" at the 3rd Annual Intertribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in Winnipeg, 1990. Two-Spirit is a pan-Indigenous term that reflects diverse gender identities, roles, and spiritual significance found in many Indigenous cultures of North America, often encompassing people who embody both masculine and feminine spirits.

Two-Spirit is not only a term of identity but also of cultural reclamation. It represents a restoration of traditional roles and spiritual teachings that colonialism sought to suppress through homophobic and transphobic policies. Recognizing and honoring Two-Spirit people is essential in the broader journey towards truth, reconciliation, and healing for Indigenous communities.

Connecting the Journey to Reconciliation

In 2025, we also honor several significant milestones that intersect with the ongoing work of Indigenous resurgence and reconciliation in Canada:

10th Anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report & the 94 Calls to Action:

The TRC’s Final Report, released in 2015, uncovered the long-standing impacts of the Residential School system on Indigenous communities. The 94 Calls to Action urge all Canadians to engage in reconciliation through tangible steps in education, justice, and cultural preservation. These Calls particularly emphasize healing the intergenerational trauma inflicted by colonialism, including the impacts on Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous people.

5th Anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S):

Released in 2019, the MMIWG2S Final Report identified 231 Calls for Justice aimed at addressing systemic violence and the disproportionate harm experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals. The Calls for Justice demand reforms in law, policing, healthcare, and media representation to protect Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people and restore their dignity and safety.

Answering the Call: Advancing Reconciliation in 2025

As we commemorate these key anniversaries, we are reminded of the urgent need to Answer the Calls laid out by the TRC and the MMIWG2S Inquiry. Whether through education, advocacy, or direct action, each of us has a role in advancing reconciliation. Here’s how you can help:

  • Learn & Amplify: Educate yourself and others on the Two-Spirit identity and the ongoing challenges Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals face.

  • Support Indigenous Communities: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that work directly with Two-Spirit and Indigenous-led groups.

  • Call for Accountability: Advocate for the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice and the 94 Calls to Action in your community, schools, and workplaces.

  • Engage with Indigenous Knowledge: Support efforts to revive traditional cultural practices and Indigenous languages that honor and celebrate Two-Spirit people.

By embracing these actions, we not only honor the 35-year legacy of the Two-Spirit term but also commit ourselves to a future of inclusivity, justice, and reconciliation for all Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Let 2025 be a year of reflection and, most importantly, a year of meaningful action. Together, we can help foster a Canada that respects and uplifts Indigenous voices, especially those of Two-Spirit, women, and girls.