Honouring Two-Spirit History

Each June, we recognize both Pride Month and Indigenous History Month. It’s a time to celebrate identity, culture, and community—but also a moment to reflect on the stories that too often go untold.

Among them are the voices of Two-Spirit people—Indigenous folks whose identities embody both gender and spiritual diversity. At the intersection of colonization, racism, homophobia, and transphobia, Two-Spirit people have long held sacred roles in their communities. Today, many are reclaiming those spaces while navigating systems that were never built for them.

We believe that mental health care must be inclusive, culturally informed, and community-led. That means recognizing the lived experiences of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ2S+ Indigenous youth—not just during Pride and Indigenous History Month, but year-round.

Who Are Two-Spirit People?

The term “Two-Spirit” (niizh manidoowag in Anishinaabemowin) was introduced in 1990 during a gathering of Indigenous LGBTQ+ people in Winnipeg. It’s a pan-Indigenous term that encompasses gender, sexuality, and spirituality, but it isn’t a direct translation of any one Nation’s language or belief system. Instead, it reflects the many traditional roles held by gender-diverse people before colonization.

As Dr. Alex Abramovich, Independent Scientist at CAMH, explains:

“It’s not because a person identifies as LGBTQ2S+, that’s not why they’re experiencing suicidality. It’s often because of the high rates of stigma, discrimination and oppression that LGBTQ2S+ people face on a day-to-day basis.” — CAMH

Two-Spirit people were once seen as vital to community wellbeing. According to Cree scholar Dr. Alex Wilson:

“Two-Spirit identity is about circling back to where we belong, reclaiming, reinventing and redefining … our communities, our support systems and our collective and individual selves.” — Wilson, A. (2008). N’tacimowin Inna Nah: Our Coming In Stories

The Impact of Colonization

With colonization came the forced imposition of Christian norms, residential schools, and policies like the Indian Act, which sought to erase Indigenous culture. Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people were among those most harshly punished, silenced, or excluded.

As noted in a Global News feature on Two-Spirit history:

“The erasure of Two-Spiritedness from Indigenous communities was racist, colonial and incredibly harmful.” — Global News, 2021

Today, many Two-Spirit youth face compounding barriers. Rates of homelessness, suicide, and substance use remain disproportionately high—driven by rejection, racism, and limited access to culturally affirming care.

Reclaiming Identity, Restoring Community

Despite this, Two-Spirit people are leading powerful movements of healing, resurgence, and cultural pride. Artists like Kent Monkman, whose alter ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle reclaims gender-bending Indigenous storytelling, and filmmaker Thirza Cuthand, whose work explores Indigiqueer mental health, are reshaping the narrative.

This resurgence is not only cultural—it’s life-affirming. According to the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH):

“This reclamation of pride in identity counters the dehumanization of colonialism and the erasure of non-binary gender identities. This push-back is vital for the overall health and well-being of Two-Spirit people.” — NCCIH, 2021

In Toronto, organizations like 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations are offering culturally grounded health, housing, and harm reduction services for Two-Spirit individuals.

And across Canada, Two-Spirit Powwows and Pride events are creating spaces where queer Indigenous youth can be fully seen—and celebrated.

What CAMH Is Doing

CAMH is committed to improving care for Two-Spirit and LGBTQ2S+ youth through:

• Rainbow Services, is a self-referral outpatient program for LGBTQ2S+ clients seeking support with substance use.

• Gender Identity Clinic, includes assessments and affirming care for trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people.

• Research leadership, including Dr. Abramovich’s work on queer youth homelessness and identity-based trauma. Read more about Dr. Abramovich's work here.

• Youth Engagement Initiatives, where young people with lived experience—including Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer voices—help shape mental health research and care models. Read more about how to get involved here.

If you or someone you know needs support, CAMH offers a range of services that are inclusive, affirming, and confidential. Visit camh.ca to learn more about inclusive, confidential, and community-informed mental health care.

Moving Forward, Together

This Pride and Indigenous History Month, we honour the resilience of Two-Spirit people across Turtle Island. Their stories are not only part of queer and Indigenous history—they are part of our collective future. “We’ve always been here,” says a Two-Spirit youth featured in Abramovich’s research. “We just need people to listen—and to care.” At CAMH Engage, we are listening. We are learning. And we are committed to showing up for Two-Spirit youth—not just in June, but every day after.