Glossary term: Two-Spirit

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“Two-Spirit” is a term used within some Indigenous communities, encompassing cultural, spiritual, sexual and gender identity.

The term reflects complex Indigenous understandings of gender roles, spirituality, and the long history of sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures. Individual terms and roles for Two-Spirit people are specific to each nation. The word “Two-Spirit” was created in the early 1990s, by a group of Two-Spirit community members and leaders. Due to its cultural, spiritual, and historical context, the concept of “Two-Spirit” is to be used only by Indigenous people. However, not all Indigenous people who hold diverse sexual and gender identities consider themselves Two-Spirit, many identify themselves as LGBTQ+. (http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/trans-basics/two-spirit)