Two-Spirits in American Indian Culture

Educational film with sociological focus on Two-Spirits in American Indian society both past and present. All materials used were done so in accordance with the U.S. Fair Use policy or are freely licensed. This was a college sociology project. Feel free to share with proper attribution. Please be respectful in comments. Thank you.

Update: As a commenter pointed out, gender identity is not socially constructed, but is innate. This is true. I was probably thinking of outward gender expression as being socially constructed when I made this.

• Category

  Education

[belinskiMOM]

You did an excellent job. I am a professor and I show this in my diversity classes, as well as some literature classes. With all respect to NocchiWarlock, I agree that some aspects of gender identity are biological and not socially constructed, but certainly gender behavior IS socially constructed. It is a difficult issue, because sociologists will disagree among themselves, making it difficult for trans people to gain acceptance or receive assistance in changing gender medically.

[DegenMatterStudios]

Thank you so much! I'm quite stunned at the usage my video is getting. It makes me very happy that discussion is taking place here and in the classroom. You have an excellent point, and what both of you have stated shows how complex the whole of gender identity can be. That there is an interplay of known and unknown biological and sociological factors at work. I would say that gender behavior is the same as gender expression, and was my original intention in the video, now annotated w/ a note.

[Nerdificent]

Thank you for posting this. We lose far too many LGBT to suicide and murder. If this video saves even one life, you will have done the world a great service.

[DegenMatterStudios]

I had never thought of this reaching out so far, but if it does and helps others, it is a wonderful thing. Thank you. : )

[WyteDove]

Thank you for uploading this I am sure this video will help make a lot of people feel very Special!! Two Spirits what a beautiful discription.Much Respect.~pCe~

[leesoarez]

Thank you for this brave upload!

Cheers from Brasil [=

[Troy Miller]

Thank-you for being a respectful and open-minded individual.

[keshawn888]

I wonder if there is a significant connection between us two-spirits and extraterrestrial beings.....

[Jolie Varela]

Thank you so much for this. I am writing a paper about Two Spirits for my Cultural Competence class and this movie is wonderful!

[Nikolai McKenzie]

Thank you so much for this arresting film. I've been researching the Two-Spirit people for my senior dance and choreography project and have been having many visceral reactions to the stories told, both tragic and uplifting. This put a lump in my throat since I've never "fit" into a gender role but have been, well, smooshed into being strictly a male, a gay male at that. But the people whose land this country was and IS knew and know better. Thank you for giving me courage.

[salmonfire]

the only problem i have is that most of the first nations in my area do not have a gender based language, and i would posit the only tribes that have a third gender would fit under your rubric of gender identity and when you mention socio-ecomonic roles its problematic because for many tribes 2-S lies within the realm of Spirituality.

[KD Warner]

Yeah I remember studying about the "two spirit" peoples of the native american tribes of the Berdache tribe.

[tim slomp]

it's even more insidious, Rome recognized the power and didn't want to share 'their' monopoly on pastoral services. it's no secret many of those who wear the robes of rome are non-hetrosexual and knowing how they treat sexuality as something sinful and could only be repented for through church well the premise to scare those who are different gendered into the robes are well build, it's a sick organisation that should be held accountable for so many destroyed lives.

[tim slomp]

this is so important, not only to the first nation's people but to everyone, most for those in the west who have absolutely no connection to this spiritual path, i'm lucky, i never had to fight for my life where so many others do, yet i think i'm nowhere near my full potential simply because there is no name for what i am in my native tongue there are no elders to guide me, monotheistic religions made sure that source of power was cut off. we are power full beings, and therefor feared.

[Dano Pierce]

Fantastic! This is a tradition and role that needs to be honored and encouraged for the spiritual nad cultural health of Native American Communities.

[kellyandjenna]

Does anyone know the name of the song in the background of 6:00?