Unsettling Indigenous Colonial Traditions of Hate and Harm

Indigenous cultures in pre-colonial times had a rich history of embracing diversity in gender and sexuality, including the recognition of individuals who embody both masculine and feminine traits and/or have a non-binary gender identity. These individuals are often referred to as “Two-Spirit.”

In traditional Indigenous communities, Two-Spirit individuals were often revered for their unique spiritual gifts and held important roles in the community, such as healers, storytellers, and leaders. This demonstrates the traditional understanding and acceptance of Two-Spirit individuals within Indigenous cultures.

Unfortunately, colonization and forced assimilation policies disrupted the traditional understanding and acceptance of Two-Spirit individuals. The colonizers sought to suppress and erase Indigenous cultures, including the acceptance of Two-Spirit individuals. This has resulted in a loss of knowledge and understanding of the importance of Two-Spirit individuals in Indigenous communities.

Today, Two-Spirit individuals face discrimination and exclusion in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. This can lead to feelings of isolation and despair. In order to heal, they may seek out elders’ advice or intuitively turn to Indigenous traditions to learn about their identity in order to seek solace or inclusion. When they find out they are not accepted in these realms either, it can be devastating and confusing.

Upon uncovering the ugly and unsettling truths that current Indigenous traditional cultures and practises do not practise equality through their rigid, colonized, and homophobic gender norms is a personal embarrassment to me when I see Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and colleagues try and reach out to elders, communities, and organizations in order to seek their guidance, or ask how to practise reconciliation.

In conclusion, including Two-Spirit elders and non-binary leaders into educational spaces is a first step to reducing the barriers of rampant and colonial homophobia and misogyny that have permeated Indigenous traditional practises and all have been kept quiet up until today.