In May 2024, the Two-Spirit Program team was invited to host a series of workshops on Haida Gwaii in partnership with the Skidegate Health Centre. Five members of the team, along with CBRC’s Executive Director Michael Kwag, travelled to the remote and picturesque island community for four full days of education and discussion on a variety of topics related to Two-Spirit history and identity, HIV/STBBI awareness and prevention, drag culture, and more.
“The intention to share knowledge in Haida Gwaii has been nearly three years in the making,” said Lane T. Bonertz, Two-Spirit Program Manager. “While we’ve been involved in many gatherings, powwows, and prides, this was the first time the Two-Spirit Program was invited to a community to share our work, speak from our lived experiences, and encourage dialogue on how to better support 2S/LGBTQ+ people in rural and remote communities.”
The workshops took place at the Skidegate Community Hall, which had been decorated in rainbow colours for the occasion. Over the four days, attendees could come and go as they please. Some were youth accompanied by their teachers, while others had learned of the event through community. To facilitate discussion, the team had set up chairs in a circle formation. Medicines were burned as an Elder welcomed everyone each morning. It was important for the team that everything start and end in ceremony and be led by the teachings and customs of the Haida Nation. All sessions were held in collaboration with local community members, Elders, and Two-Spirit individuals, to ensure that the knowledge shared was grounded in cultural sensitivity and authenticity.
ABOUT THE SESSIONS
Each member of the Two-Spirit Program team had spent weeks preparing with intention. “We engaged in meaningful dialogues that included connecting on a soul level with participants who shared their stories, struggles, and celebrations,” said Jaylene McRae, Two-Spirit Research Coordinator. “Together, we explored topics ranging from traditional teachings on gender diversity to contemporary challenges facing Two-Spirit individuals in healthcare systems and society at large. The drag workshop created a discussion that created a space that offered hope to a mother and child.”
Talking circles where everyone arrived as equals and spoke to their truths became a judgment free space for healing and release. “Education and discussion on HIV/STBBIs and healthy sexuality were had, with many in the group remarking that they had never heard information on these topics delivered in such an accessible way,” said Bonertz.
The team’s words seemed to resonate with whomever needed to hear it most. “As we facilitated these discussions, we witnessed a powerful transformation unfolding within the community,” said McRae. “A renewed sense of pride, understanding, and solidarity among participants. Through our guidance and support, allies emerged, committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of Two-Spirit people within their own communities.”
“It felt as if everyone that was meant to be there was in the room,” said Bonertz. “Our presentations were the start, but rarely the focus as we began to understand and delve into the topics and questions the community were eager to learn more about.”
During their time, the team also shared the origins and history of Two-Spirit as a means of gathering, and how Two-Spirit folks were once embraced by their people for their distinct differences and abilities. At a community dinner, the team screened the film Two-Spirit Resurgence, directed by Two-Spirit Program Manager Martin Morberg, which introduced Two-Spirit perspectives on the growing momentum of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ people across Turtle Island.
ON THE LAND
Being on Haida Gwaii, in community, was a powerful experience for the Two-Spirit Program team members, some of whom were reminded of being around their home fires. “In many ways, Haida Gwaii reminded me of my home community,” said Two-Spirit Research Assistant Skye Wilson. “They would like to expand care and community to Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ folks but don’t know how to. From this experience, it’s obvious to me that there are people in rural areas who are curious and want to better support their Two-Spirit, queer, or trans relatives. Programs like ours offer space to ask hard questions and sit with concepts that are new.”
“Growing up in a small town, I’ve come to understand that common ground isn’t an easy journey when one has never been taught to ask questions or introduced to how things are seen from the other side,” said Bonertz. “It was important for us to create a space that allowed folks to fumble through their thoughts and questions, not take for granted what may be known, and be responded to with warmth. Everyone came into the space carrying the seven sacred teachings: love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility and truth—whether they realized it or not.”
One of highlights of the trip for the team was being able to spend time on the land with each other. “The week was a unique opportunity for the Two-Spirit Program to bond as a team face to face,” said McRae. “Seldom do we get the chance to be together without distraction, and that dedicated time to connect to the land, share meals, and laugh was cherished. The time away refreshed and inspired us as we move forward with all that is to come.”
Medicine Bundle Coordinator William Flett is originally from Haida Gwaii, and it was also a special experience for his teammates to be able to witness him explore his territory after so many years away. “While we couldn't really visit every place we wanted to,” said Flett, “And say everything we wanted to say, we all knew the real gift was our presence and creating a supportive and inclusive space for everyone everywhere we went. All those months—or years—of thinking about what we wanted to share, helped ready us to reinforce that supportive and inclusive space everywhere we went.”
WRAPPED IN GRATITUDE
At the end of the week, each team member was gifted a blanket for their time and words. “Wrapped in fleece, the gratitude was mutual,” said Bonertz. “While it was us who were invited to lead the conversation, there were words and synchronicities shared that affected us deeply as well. This work is not always easy, but it is these moments in community that affirm the purpose in what we do. Everyone in the space, ourselves included, was able to give a piece of their story and carry something home. Healing is strongest when it’s done in community.”
“Our team was able to show up authentically and be witnessed by the community,” said Wilson. “Although we cannot quantify that data, I hope we showed any youth, parent, or service provider that being Two-Spirit or LGBTQIA+ is a gift.”
Photo: Jessy Dame, Jaylene McRae, Skye Wilson, William Flett, Lane Bonertz
