Closed captioning is available in both English and French.
KEYNOTE PLENARY
This presentation will discuss the journey of a 2Spirit Anishnabe artist and advocate growing up on Rankin Reserve of Batchewana First Nation. Ozhawa Anung Kwe | Yellow Star Woman (they/them) uses storytelling and information sharing to raise awareness about 2Spirit, Indigenous, and LGBTQIAP+ rights and topics. For 13 years they have shared their story about being both queer and First Nation and later trans, to audiences that include children, youth, post-secondary institutions, service providers, business, and community leaders. They combine education and comedy together and tackle conversations regarding reconciliation, inclusion, and community wellness. Using accessible research methods, they record the supports communities and organizations need, and address challenges that might be actively occurring within these spaces. Today Ozhawa lives in Sault Ste. Marie, closer to their home territory creating grassroot initiatives including the first 2Spirit drag troupe called House of Ever Sick and the 2Spirit Organizing Committee of Baawaating.
