TWO-SPIRIT PEOPLES
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TWO-SPIRIT POWWOWS

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The Need for a Separate Space


Homophobia is alive and powerful within many Native societies. "Two-Spirit" peoples are commonly banned from their tribal powwows and other social events due to their queering identity.   “Two-Spirit” powwows were created by queer Natives as a way to engage in their cultural events without fear of being ostracized or threatened. These Two-Spirit powwows often occur away from the community and are not heavily publicized outside of the “Two-Spirit” community. In these “Two-Spirit” powwows, bodily sex is not conflated to one’s role in the powwow, rather, those who feel “called” to dress in women’s regalia do so, and the same goes for that of men’s regalia. It is important that the “gender switching” that takes place in “Two-Spirit” powwows is not confused with drag performance. It is also important to note that not all “Two-Spirit” peoples are called to “switch” roles in the powwows, but everyone who participates does to some degree contributes to the re-gendering of the powwow. These “Two-Spirit” powwows are highly necessary because they provide opportunities for queer Natives to practice their religion on their own terms, allowing them to establish a connection between their sexuality and gender expression with their cultural social practices. The separate space that “Two-Spirit” powwows offer is not an attempt to overthrow Native cultural values, but instead to make room for “Two-Spirit” visibility and identity. These alternative powwows also work to diminish discrimination against non-heterosexual peoples through the association of gender diversity with cultural forms.
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  • Home
  • Two-Spirit Movement
  • Two-Spirit Powwows
  • Historical Two-Spirits
  • Tribal Specific Terms
  • Resources