What is Two-Spirit?
Two-Spirit is a term used within Indigenous communities in North America, including Native American, First Nations, and Alaskan Native cultures. It refers to people who carry both masculine and feminine traits, whether physical, social, or spiritual.
The term does not represent a modern LGBTQ identity in the Western sense, but a renewed understanding of traditional roles that existed long before colonization. It serves as an umbrella for individuals within Indigenous cultures who do not fit into the Western binary of male and female. It emphasizes the blending or coexistence of masculine and feminine energies or roles within one person.
In many Indigenous communities, people we would now describe as Two-Spirit were seen as having a unique position. They often took on spiritual, social, or ceremonial responsibilities. Two-Spirit is therefore more than a gender identity; it is also a cultural and spiritual role. In some tribes, these roles were formally recognized well before colonial systems disrupted Indigenous traditions. Not every tribe uses the same word or concept. Only those from Indigenous backgrounds can identify as Two-Spirit.
Sky always felt different, but not in a way that matched the words they heard growing up. Terms like “gay” or “trans” were mentioned at school from time to time, but none of them felt like home. Sky’s grandmother, a quiet woman who burned sage every morning, once said, “You carry both fire and water.” At the time, Sky didn’t understand what she meant.
Years later, Sky attended a cultural camp in their tribal territory. During a session on traditional roles, an elder spoke about how their people once recognized more than two genders. They spoke of people who walked between worlds, who could see with both eyes, and feel with both hearts.
Something shifted in Sky. It wasn’t about choosing a label or joining a category. It felt more like remembering something that had always been there. After the talk, Sky approached the elder, unsure of what to say. The elder simply nodded and said, “We’ve been waiting for you to remember.”
Sky began to relearn their language. They listened to old songs, spoke with knowledge keepers, and connected with stories that had nearly faded. With each step, things started to make sense. It wasn’t just about personal identity, but about stepping into a role that had once been erased.
Today, Sky introduces themself as Two-Spirit. Not as an explanation, but because it feels true. It’s not a new word, but a role that has always existed. By reconnecting with their traditions and language, Sky feels more grounded in where they come from. For them, being Two-Spirit means not only knowing who they are, but helping restore something that was nearly lost.
History
In many Indigenous cultures, gender was never limited to two fixed categories. Different nations had their own terms for those who lived outside the male-female binary. Among the Diné (Navajo), the word nádleehi refers to someone who lives in balance. In Lakota tradition, winkte describes male individuals who hold female spiritual or social roles. In Zapotec communities in Oaxaca, the term muxe refers to a third gender. These examples show that many Indigenous societies recognized gender as something social, spiritual, and fluid.
Two-Spirit individuals often performed roles that didn’t fit into either “male” or “female.” They guided ceremonies, took part in healing, or cared for children. Their roles were not separate from the community but woven into its structure. Gender identity was shaped by function, behavior, and relationship to the group. Being Two-Spirit was not seen as an exception, but as a respected variation.
Colonization ended this recognition in many places. Missionaries banned spiritual ceremonies, imposed binary gender roles, and labelled other identities as sinful or deviant. Children were placed in boarding schools where Indigenous languages, customs, and gender systems were systematically erased. This long period of forced assimilation left deep scars. Many traditional roles and terms disappeared from everyday life, were kept secret, or survived only in fragmented ways.
In 1990, at a gathering of Indigenous LGBTQIA+ individuals in Winnipeg, the term Two-Spirit was introduced. It was created to replace colonial terms like “berdache,” which were both inaccurate and offensive. Two-Spirit was intended as a unifying term to support identity and cultural recovery. It was never meant to erase local traditions, but to support them across nations. Since then, it has become a part of activism, education, and healing.
Criticism and variation
The term Two-Spirit is not used universally. Some tribes prefer their original terms that are deeply tied to their own language, beliefs, and land. For them, Two-Spirit may feel too broad or disconnected from specific traditions. In some cases, using it risks flattening the unique gender systems that existed independently within different cultures.
The word “two” itself also raises questions. It implies a balance between two poles, which doesn’t reflect the full diversity of Indigenous gender understandings. Some cultures recognize more than two genders, or view gender not as fixed but as fluid or connected to certain life stages. When interpreted through a Western binary lens, the meaning of Two-Spirit can be misunderstood or oversimplified.
It’s also important to clarify that Two-Spirit refers to gender, not necessarily sexuality. While there may be overlap, being Two-Spirit doesn’t automatically mean being gay, lesbian, or queer. In many Indigenous cultures, gender and sexuality were not treated as separate categories in the same way they are in Western thinking. Understanding this difference is essential to respecting the full meaning of the term.
Social impact
Two-Spirit visibility is growing, often driven by Indigenous activists and educators. Online platforms, cultural events, and community gatherings are helping revive traditional roles and knowledge. Projects like the Two-Spirit Journal and WeRNative create space for stories, research, and connection. These efforts help new generations find language and grounding that many thought was lost.
But challenges remain. Within Indigenous communities, some Two-Spirit people still face rejection or misunderstanding, especially in places where colonial gender roles became deeply rooted. Outside those communities, mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces often lack the cultural awareness to fully include Two-Spirit experiences. This can lead to misrepresentation or tokenization.
In schools and healthcare systems, Two-Spirit realities are rarely addressed. Educational materials focus almost exclusively on Western identities, leaving little room for cultural nuance. Healthcare providers may not recognize the social and spiritual context that shapes a Two-Spirit person’s life. This gap in understanding often results in inadequate support and missed opportunities for connection.
Despite this, many Two-Spirit individuals are reclaiming their roles and visibility. Their work is not just personal, but communal. Reviving language, ceremony, and cultural practice brings healing; not only to individuals, but to entire communities. This work is ongoing and shaped by care, knowledge, and resilience.
Conclusion
Two-Spirit is not a modern invention, nor a trend. It is a living concept rooted in tradition, culture, and place. It describes a range of identities and roles that have long existed in Indigenous societies. The term carries power, but it must be used with care.
Understanding Two-Spirit means looking beyond Western categories and respecting the systems that shaped these identities long before colonization. It means listening to Indigenous voices, honoring cultural differences, and recognizing that gender is not always what we were taught it to be. Only then does the term regain its full meaning.