Gender & identity

Two-Spirit

Also2Stwo spirit2-spirittwospirittwo spirit people

Definition

A pan-Indigenous term used by some Native American and First Nations people to describe traditional gender and spiritual roles beyond the categories of woman and man.

At a glance

  • Two-Spirit is a pan-Indigenous English umbrella term from North America.
  • It was adopted at an Indigenous gathering in Winnipeg in 1990.
  • It links contemporary Indigenous LGBTQ people with traditional gender roles in their nations.
  • It belongs to Indigenous communities and is not for non-Indigenous people to adopt.
  • Its meaning varies between nations, and some people prefer the word from their own language.

In detail

Two-Spirit was adopted at an Indigenous gathering in Winnipeg in 1990 as an English umbrella term. It is meant to connect contemporary Indigenous LGBTQ people with the many distinct gender and social roles that existed in their nations before colonisation, each with its own name in its own language.

The term belongs to Indigenous communities and is not meant to be used by non-Indigenous people to describe themselves. Its meaning can differ between nations, and some people prefer the specific word from their own language. The letters 2S appear in some versions of the acronym, such as 2SLGBTQ+.

In a sentence

  • The powwow included a gathering for Two-Spirit community members.
  • Many Canadian organisations now write 2SLGBTQ+ to include Two-Spirit people.

Where the word comes from

Two-Spirit was chosen at the 1990 Native American and First Nations gay and lesbian gathering in Winnipeg, Canada. It is commonly linked to the Ojibwe phrase niizh manidoowag, meaning two spirits.

Common questions

Can non-Indigenous people call themselves Two-Spirit?

No. Two-Spirit is tied to Indigenous cultures, histories and spiritual traditions. Non-Indigenous people who are queer or gender-diverse are encouraged to use other terms.

Is Two-Spirit the same as being gay or trans?

Not exactly. It can include sexual orientation and gender identity, but it also carries cultural and spiritual meaning within Indigenous communities. Its meaning differs between nations and individuals.

Related terms