What Is Two Spirit?

I met David in 2004 when we were both doing work in HIV prevention. David, as well as other friends, would talk about being Two Spirit and taught me what it meant, how the term originated, why it's important, and how their work educating about the Two Spirit experience is saving the lives of young Natives all over North America.

[realboi]

i love how she was such a respectful and interested listener! we all need to listen up whenever native americans have something to say because they've been silenced too long

[theintrovertedblogger]

My husband's Aunt went ballistic on me years ago when I posted something about Two-Spirit people. She claimed it wasnt true that indigenous people never identified as anything other than male/female. She still hasnt spoken to me, and its been over 5 years since that day. Seeing this was so amazing, and it helped me to know I didnt have my information wrong. ♡ ty Dr Doe

[MewWolf]

I really loved hearing the history of the term two-spirit. I never knew any of that backstory. It makes sense that there would be different words among different tribes, but I never thought about it before.

[Grellibe]

I like how instead of bashing people for asking to use the term he encourages people to learn about their own history and their own culture to find a term that's right for them.

I think that's a beautiful way to fight appropriation.

[greeniemerry]

I learned a lot from this video and about what is Two Spirit and who can and who should not identify as such. It was extremely informative and thank you for posting this video. While there area lot of take-aways from this video, one is, is how Dr. Doe just listened. She asked what two? three questions? But she did not dominate the video, instead she let the person who is informed, who helped create the Two-Spirit community speak.

This is important to any ally of any community. Just listen to what they have to say, lean in, ask questions, but don't dominate, listen to the answers they give. So often than not people speak about communities and groups of people that they are not part of. All Dr. Doe did was have her camera on, and let this man speak about his community and what it is and what it means. This is not just a great video on Two-Spirit but also a great video on how to be an ally.

[RobottoNya]

I'm so glad you're talking about this! As someone who recently started identifying as two spirit in a state and tribe that has no information on it (That or they're just denying it), it makes me so happy that information is becoming more available to everyone.

[kujmous]

This was so pleasant and informative. Many thanks for visiting and teaching.

[thomasbleming]

I knew that I was Two Spirit when I was a teenager. Nothing to be ashamed of. Those who are Two Spirit are truly blessed with a lot of knowledge and understanding of life.

[ameliaryczek]

I'd love to see an interview with people living with/who have contracted STDs. I feel like so many are misrepresented and blown out of proportion, or we're only shown the most severe cases, I think it would be refreshing to hear from people who have had to actually deal with these things.

[UtauReni]

I had no idea that two-spirit also referred to romantic/sexual attraction! I thought it was strictly a gender identity. it's a good day to stay curious ;)

[foodgeek]

I'm so confused by this comments section. People keep going on and on about how they're so happy two-spirit relates to sexuality AND gender, and many very clearly non-indigenous people are announcing happily that they are two-spirit. Did you even watch the bloody video?? *sighs* He very clearly states that it does NOT really relate to sexuality OR gender, and that no - if you are not indigenous, you may NOT identify as two-spirit, as it is very deeply entrenched in their cultural history and identity, and has no real meaning outside of it. It's embarrassing to see so many of Doe's followers completely disregard the content of her actual videos...

[joeybroda]

Your sweater, lipstick, hair game is distractingly good in this video.

[edsmith]

Thank you dear lady. I am straight for what ever know reason. I Can identify with this story of TwoSpirit. Very good.

[FlamingoCollective]

More interviews please! An interview with people of varying levels of ability would be so neat. It's been hard as a trans disabled guy not seeing any representation of the disabled community when we talk about things like sex, sexual health, or even just intimate relationships in general. Disabled people are often assumed to not be sexual or romantic, in the most patronizing ways. It hurts.

And can we PLEASE talk about sexual assault of disabled individuals?! It happens so often because it's known that we may have a more difficult time defending ourselves. Particularly with cognitive or developmental disabilities, because the victim may not know how to say no, or even that they are allowed to say no. Some people are taught, intentionally or not, that they don't have a right to bodily autonomy, which is so dangerous, not only in the context of sexual assault, but in body image and self respect and developing healthy relationships.

We NEED to have these conversations!

[superawesomefreak]

for the most part on this channel I know everything in a broad sense and lindsey helps give me more info but for this topic I had never even heard of it before this is so wonderful to learn about and to learn more about other cultures :D

[anangoohns]

I was taught that the term two spirit came from a translation of the anishinaabemowin phrase "niizh manidoowag" which literally translates as "one who is of two spirits", because we ojibwe folks had (that I know of) 3 additional genders in addition to the western binary two
its always really interesting to hear people speak who are from tribes I don't get to interact with a lot, my tribe being from southern canada/northern US. Keep up the amazing work!!

[PlethoraShae]

Thank you for this. What a wonderful window into the world of Indigenous culture. Please continue to do your part of reconciliation. ❤️

[Snufkin]

Your hair color matches your shirt so nicely

[patricianorwood]

Thank you for sharing this video. I am Choctaw and bisexual. I have been learning the various two spirit teachings among the indigenous peoples. But even though I identify as two spirit, I often get called crazy because so many in the he Nations don't accept the term or it's sacredness.

[mineola_]

Just your friendly neighbourhood nerdfighter, here to remind you please do not feed the trolls, they get riled up and even more bothersome when you do. 😊