AFN National Mental Wellness Forum and Health Information Fair

Weaving our stories from past and present, to strengthen our future….

Presentation By: Vanessa Tait

Two-Spirited Ithiniw Iskwêw(Cree Woman)….a personal story

Albert McLeod

•Role Model

•Mentor

•Helped me find my voice…

Growing up in Northern MB

• Growing up in my community• Family loved me • Left home for high school and

attended FCI

Coming Out – Things Changed

Paintingby:JackieTraverse

ColonizationChristianityAssimilation

Residential Schools

Strong Support Circle

•Words of Encouragement• Unconditional Love•My friends who became

family….

Labels and Terms

Remembering and Honouring My Place in

the Circle

AsWilsonwrites:““…storiesoftwo-spiritedpeopleisreallyaboutjourneyingalongacircularpath.Itisournaturetobewholeandtobetogether.Wearebornintoacircleoffamily,community,livingcreatures,andtheland.Ourencounterswithracism,homophobia,andsexismmaydisturbourbalanceandwesometimesloseourplaceinthecircle…two-spiritidentityisaboutcirclingbacktowherewebelong,ourroots,ourcommunities,oursupportsystems,andourcollectiveandindividualselves.We‘comein’.”(N’tacimowininnana:OurCominginstories,197-198).

PhotoCourtesyofJonAdaskin

Reconciliation and Decolonization▪ The act of decolonization needs to include the

remembering of the valued place two-spirited people have in our communities and the way things were before colonization disrupted our way of life.

▪ Traditional teachings about two-spirited people need to be shared with the community and younger generation.

▪ We have many two spirited role models, survivors, and successful persons that we can highlight so that our young ones can have someone to relate to and look to for support

Traditional Role of Two-Spirited People

Medicine peopleWarriors

Healers Visionaries

Caregivers“…cherished as family members and respected as gifts from Creator”

Role ModelAdvocate

Proud of Who I am

Community Leader

Two-Spirited Ithiniw Iskwêw

EducatedLife Long Learner

Survivor….

Highlight some Accomplishments in LifeEducational Journey:▪ U of W – MDP – Graduate with Highest Distinction (2017)▪ U of M – Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree (2012)▪ Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Certificate (2011)▪ Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer Certificate (2014)▪ Grade 12 Honour – Valedictorian (2001)

Community Leader:▪ Board member and Co-Founder of Manitoba Moon Voices Inc.▪ Board Member Native Women’s Association of Canada▪ Board Member of National Organization – Cando▪ Nation Youth Panelist – Cando▪ Elected Council Member OPCN

Scholarships: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Outgoing Scholarship for Community Leadership, Duff Roblin Scholarship, Helen Betty Osborne Education Award, Business Council Scholarship, Saul and Claribel Simkin Bursary and many others.

International Experience:▪ Field Placement in Aotearoa (New Zealand) at the Waikato- Tainui College for Research

and Development with Maori whanau. ▪ Building Local and Indigenous Knowledge for Community Resilience (Kenya, Africa, 2018

Inclusion - Action“First Nations communities (and society) can support two-spirited people by providing safe spaces that include and respect them, by

standing up for them, and by speaking out about the discrimination they experience.”

▪ Occupying our space in the circle – providing a safe space and welcomed.

▪ It is hoped that inclusion of two spirited persons will be acknowledged.

▪ Programs and services for two spirited youth and persons be provided that meets their needs and is culturally appropriate

What you can do…

I challenge and ask academics, organizations, and those of you here to host a two spirit talk, celebration, panel, or even conference where you invite youth, adults, and Elders that are two-spirited to speak, present

and participate.

There is so much more dialogue needed…..

We should not be feared, we should be loved….

Kínánáskomitináwaw – Thank You All

This presentation is dedicated to those Two Spirited Youth and people who never got the chance to tell their story and who still are struggling and need that guidance and light….

I honour you… Ekosi