Indigenous and Rural Outreach

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Since the creation of the eight-striped flag by Philadelphia Pride in 2017 and the Progress Pride Flag by Daniel Quasar we have seen multiple variations of the pride flag pop-up adding representation to various identities that have been the most marginalized within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Amongst all of these new flags, we wondered why hadn't one been created for Two Spirit peoples. As a Metis, Two Spirit person, Board Chair Mitchel Bowers took it upon themselves to create the flag they felt was lacking. 

"Two Spirit people were the first queer people to live on this land, and they have done so while fighting against colonial oppression such as homophobia and transphobia. They deserve to be represented overtly to ensure that their stories and traditions live on and are handed down from generation to generation." - Mitchel Bowers

Amplifying Indigenous voices is a priority for Wood Buffalo Pride in all aspects of our operations and flying this flag is one way we are putting that intention into action. We are so pleased that starting in 2022 the Two Spirit Progress Pride Flag will be the official flag raised at our opening ceremonies at Keyano College, as well as the flag flown at Jubilee Plaza by the RMWB. 

We hope others will adopt this flag and have made the file readily available below if you would like to get your own flag made.

 Two Spirit is an identity term used by some Indigenous people across Turtle Island to describe their gender, sexuality and spiritual identity.  Two Spirit people are members of Indigenous communities who transcend normative gender roles and/or occupy a third gender role. Many Indigenous languages do not use gendered pronouns or any gendered language at all.

Prior to colonization, Two Spirit people held significant and revered cultural roles within their community. Historically, Two Spirit people were also great sources of knowledge; they were keepers of traditions and tellers of creation stories.  

In many teachings, Two Spirit people are considered incredibly valued community members for their ability to "walk between worlds" in many different ways. Through having masculine and feminine spirits, Two Spirit people have additional perspectives that others do not, and therefore can see many sides of a situation. This ability has led many cultures to consider Two Spirit people as the decision makers, communicators, and facilitators of challenging dialogue. 

When it comes to walking between worlds, it means more than just gendered worlds. Many Two Spirit people are considered to have unique spiritual gifts, allowing them to have closer connections to the spirit world. Two Spirit people have been ceremony leaders, medicine people, care takers, and chiefs. 

“Two Spirit” is a direct translation from the Anishinaabemowin term niizh manidoowag. It was first introduced by Elder Myra Laramee and adopted as an umbrella term in 1990 at the third annual Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Myra Laramee shared with the conference that she had a dream in which she was gifted the term Two Spirit from her ancestors. In many Indigenous Cultures across Turtle Island, dreaming is a way of entering the spirit world, and what happens in our dreams is truly an experience in the dream world. Therefore, the term is sacred as it is a gift from the spirit world. This is a prime example of "walking between worlds" in action. 

Not all Indigiqueer people consider themselves Two Spirit and that is okay! You deserve to use the language that feels right to you. Just know your diversity is a gift to view the world through a different lens.