Acceptance growing for two-spirited people, advocate says

After years of struggle and change, there's more openness and acceptance of two-spirited Indigenous people, an advocate says.

"Two spirit" is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous people to describe certain gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender members of their communities.

Among them is Wesley Keewatin, the intervention director at All Nations Hope in Regina.

"Being two-spirited, you have the female spirit inside you and you have the male spirit inside you," Keewatin said.

"I am two spiritand I've known that all my life."

Before the colonial era, two-spirited people were perceived as being individuals with healing gifts, he said.

But then for many years discrimination took the place of acceptance.

Today, Keewatinnotices that while prejudice still exists, there has been a significant improvement in attitudes, both on and off reserves.

Two-spirited individuals have regained their voiceand life is less difficult, he said.

Pride parade positive sign

One sign that attitudes are changing was the pride parade on Beardy's and Okemasis First Nationheld earlier this year, Keewatinsaid.

• Historic pride parade on Saskatchewan First Nation

It was the first time such an event was held on a Saskatchewan reserve and the memory of it still brings a smile to his face.

The parade received extensive media coverage, reinforcing his belief that these kinds of celebrations are a good way to start a dialogue about the two-spirited community.