Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is a contemporary pan-Indigenous English term describing certain gender identities and social/ceremonial roles found in some Indigenous North American cultures, often understood to embody both masculine and feminine spirit. It is a culturally specific identity used only by Indigenous people, and it is not interchangeable with mainstream LGBTQ+ labels.
What it is
Two-Spirit is an umbrella term adopted in 1990 at an Indigenous LGBTQ+ gathering in Winnipeg to describe a range of gender, sexual, and ceremonial roles specific to Indigenous North American peoples. It is a translation-inspired term (from the Ojibwe niizh manidoowag) meant to replace the outdated and offensive anthropological label 'berdache.' Rather than naming a single fixed identity, it points to diverse traditions in which a person may hold both masculine and feminine spirit, or occupy a distinct social, spiritual, or community role.
Crucially, Two-Spirit is a cultural and often spiritual identity rooted in specific nations, each with their own language, teachings, and terms. It is not simply an Indigenous synonym for 'gay,' 'trans,' or 'non-binary,' though a person may use those words alongside it. The meaning depends on the community and the individual.
Common forms
Because hundreds of distinct nations exist, understandings vary widely. Many communities have their own specific terms in their own languages that predate and differ from the English umbrella. Two-Spirit can encompass gender identity, sexual orientation, and a valued community or ceremonial role — sometimes all together.
- A gender identity embodying both masculine and feminine spirit
- A traditional social or ceremonial role within a specific nation
- An identity that may overlap with, but is distinct from, LGBTQ+ terms
- Nation-specific terms (e.g., in Diné, Lakota, or other languages) that carry their own meanings
Consent & safety
The primary safety consideration here is cultural, not physical. Two-Spirit is a term reserved for Indigenous people; non-Indigenous people should not adopt it to describe themselves, as doing so is a form of cultural appropriation that erases its specific history and meaning. Respect means listening, not claiming.
For Two-Spirit people, safety also includes navigating both colonial harm and, at times, marginalization within their own communities or within mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces. Supportive practice centers self-determination: let people define their own identity and roles.
- Do not use 'Two-Spirit' for yourself unless you are Indigenous
- Avoid treating it as a costume, aesthetic, or generic 'third gender' label
- Defer to individuals and nations on meaning and terminology
- Recognize the colonial history that suppressed these roles and identities
Exploring it responsibly
If you are Indigenous and exploring whether Two-Spirit fits you, seek out Two-Spirit-led organizations, elders, and community gatherings where teachings can be shared appropriately. Reclaiming these identities is deeply personal, and support networks can help reconnect you with nation-specific knowledge that colonization disrupted.
If you are not Indigenous, exploring responsibly means learning through Indigenous voices, amplifying Two-Spirit creators and organizations, and understanding the term's history without appropriating it. In any relationship or community space, honoring how someone names themselves is the foundation of respect and consent.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Indigenous people identify as Two-Spirit?
No. Two-Spirit is a culturally specific term for Indigenous North American people. Non-Indigenous people who feel a connection to gender diversity can use terms like non-binary, genderqueer, or transgender instead.
Is Two-Spirit the same as non-binary or transgender?
Not exactly. It can overlap with those experiences, but Two-Spirit carries specific cultural, spiritual, and community meanings tied to Indigenous nations, and it is not a simple synonym for mainstream gender labels.
When did the term Two-Spirit originate?
The English umbrella term was adopted in 1990 at an Indigenous LGBTQ+ gathering in Winnipeg to replace the outdated colonial term 'berdache,' though the roles and identities it describes are far older and vary by nation.
Do all Indigenous cultures have Two-Spirit roles?
No. Understandings vary greatly among the many distinct nations, and each has its own history, language, and terms. Some have specific traditional roles; others do not, and the English term may not fit every community.
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