Transgender London

(This is dedicated to my friend; Denise Two Spirit Skywalker.)

Our First Nations People had it right, but somewhere along the path of colonialism we imposed our ideals on them; including our religious mores that made sinners of the LGBT communities.  The Two Spirit People were lost and with them the understanding and acceptance of diversity in their cultures.  It was just one of many cultural losses to the First Nations and today we are only beginning to see the great harm we have caused.

Traditionally the Two Spirit People were allowed to emerge on their own right from birth.  Their choice of play and interests toward a specific gender were observed and the child allowed to pursue his or her own path of gender and sexual identification.  This was seen as a great gift and these people were believed to be in the middle between the spirit world and the earthly world.  They often became the historians, healers, religious leaders, teachers and shamans of their cultures.   They were people of great honour in society.  F2M people were free to become warriors and hunters just as any of the other males in the tribes.

Two Spirit People were seen as being neither male nor female but a third gender.  It is this understanding that allowed for their total acceptance and integration into their society.  Today this is not the case as our western culture has so polarized the LGBT communities that our First Nations people often see the diversity once celebrated, in a negative light today.  It doesn't have to be that way of course and there are Two Spirit groups emerging publically to try to regain the understanding and acceptance they once held.

An acquaintance of mine, Dennise Two Spirit Sage Walker, describes her discovery of self as a revelation that freed her from the bonds of labels such as Crossdresser.  She found her spirituality within and has since walked free and proud of who she is and equally importantly, her heritage.  It is a wonderful gift she has allowed herself to receive.

Spirituality is the key being Two Spirit.  Of course this is only part of self acceptance but one cannot truly call themselves as Two Spirit unless they have completely come to a understanding of themselves and their role in the world.  Unfortunately, the effects of western civilization mean that many of the same barriers all of us face also are in front of our Two Spirit brothers and sisters.  However they must also come to acceptance of their role in the world as a spiritual being just as a traditional Two Spirit person would have realized.

This is hardly a rejection of modern life, but still an understanding of spirit, the world and their role in it is crucial.  They can still be all that they traditionally were; teachers, doctors, musicians but now with that understanding of their spiritual place in modern society.  In this they have grown and society has not.

Our Two Spirit people have a vitally important role in society.  It is one that all of us could learn, even from outside the First Nations community.  It is a wonderful bridge of understanding to our own history and a part of the puzzle of self acceptance and determination that will set all of us free and at the same time bind us together.

Sit on a log and listen to the wind speak.  Open your senses to the reality of spirit and you will find the peace you so dearly seek.  Become one with the earth and you can become one with the spirits.  They coexist.  One is dependent upon the other and as Two Spirited, you are the medium that binds them. 

Everyone's spiritual journey is different and it cannot be dictated but is found within and with your environment.  You cannot force it, but you have to open yourself to it.  Only then can understanding of being two spirit guide you to full acceptance of who you are and show you the path you must walk.

Close your eyes and let the music flow from within, unbound by the rules.

Open your eyes and put brush to canvas and allow yourself to paint outside the lines.

Open your heart to the pain of others and help them with your own strength of spirit.

Let your words flow from the heart guided by the spirit within.

I cannot claim to be Two Spirit, I am not aboriginal.  I do not claim to be religious but I do claim to being spiritual.  I grew up learning the ways of the earth and wind and water, guided by a father and grandfather who held nature in the highest esteem.  My grandfather was known and respected in the local aboriginal community.  That is no small feat for someone who is not First Nations.  He was raised next door to the local First Nations and counted his friends among them.  He understood; and that is what made the difference.  He made sure that I too understood and respected my surroundings.  Much of his teaching and story telling has influenced me today.  It is where I get my love of nature and my outrage at our destruction of it.  It is where I gain my understanding of my place in this world and my duty to be true to it and myself.  I am not Two Spirit but I understand it as best I can.

It is my deepest wish to see a revival of the Two Spirit People in our community.  They have much to offer.  I only hope they can find acceptance and their rightful place.

Peace and Love.

Kimberley.