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The Minneapolis American Indian Center’s gym filled with the sounds of song and dance Tuesday evening. Minneapolis-based New Native Theatre held its fourth annual Two-Spirit Powwow, a celebration which recognizes and shows support to Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ people.
Two-Spirit is an umbrella term for nonbinary definitions of gender, sexuality and spirituality within Native American traditions. Two-Spirit identity can take on various meanings and cultural contexts depending on the tribal community.
The term was first introduced in 1990 at the Third Annual Intertribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in Winnipeg.
“To me, Two-Spirit is identifying with the masculine and the femininity within [oneself], and bringing it together, and like knowing that there is two sides of me,” said Deon Kirby, a co-coordinator of the powwow who identifies as Two-Spirit. He says the powwow is unique because it celebrates and uplifts the queer community within Native culture.
In many tribes, Two-Spirit individuals are respected and revered, and often regarded as medicine people, or traditional healers and spiritual leaders.
Rhiana Yazzie is New Native Theatre’s founder and artistic director. She says the powwow began in conversation with Two-Spirit members of the community. It aims to reclaim identities and provide a safe space for people to express themselves.
“When you look across the country, there’s so many vibrant urban Indian centers, and Minneapolis is one of them,” Yazzie said. “It was definitely an important thing for our community and our city to be able to have one.”
A circle formed in the gym with dancers moving clockwise while supporters looked on from the bleachers. New Native Theatre estimates nearly 900 people attended the powwow, up from 300 in the first year.
“I like the fact that dancers, drummers from the community come out and support. Even if they're not Two-Spirited, just to have that community strength,” Kirby said.
Sat at a table on a platform overlooking the dance circle, Deanna StandingCloud and Trish Cook share commentary and make announcements to attendees throughout the evening. The two have been emcees at the powwow for a couple years.
“My oldest daughter is actually Two-Spirit. So, I thought it would be such a nice way for me to honor her, her identity and just celebrate her life,” StandingCloud said.
Cook shares that she honors and welcomes Two-Spirit individuals and brings those values into her role as an emcee.
“It’s a very traditional value in Indian Country to support our Two-Spirited relatives,” Cook said.
Caley Coyne dances fancy shawl as the head woman dancer. Her dance is upbeat, mimicking the way a butterfly spreads its wings and flies. While she says she doesn’t necessarily identify as Two-Spirit, she identifies as LGBTQ+.
“It’s just a really necessary step, and just like making sure our community is a safe space for everybody,” she shared, regarding having the Two-Spirit Powwow in Minneapolis.
Yazzie shares those sentiments, wanting the powwow to be a safe space for all attendees whether they identify as Two-Spirit, queer or allies.
“It’s a space where people can learn and can be themselves and fully participate in all of the different cultural aspects that our community has,” Yazzie said.
Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.
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