Mark Your Calendar: Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day at The Junction

by Kristi Alexandra on March 12th, 2024 at 9:42 AM

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The Two-Spirit Program at the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) wants Canada to officially mark March 19 as Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day.

After two years of celebrating the day in British Columbia, the initiative by the CBRC hopes for broader participation in acknowledging the Two-Spirit community, as well as Indigenous queer and trans folks.

In Vancouver, the 2024 event—taking place at The Junction—will feature cultural performances, speakers, a Two-Spirit talk show, and drag performances by local Indigenous artists. The event’s theme, “Bringing sexuality back into our Medicine Wheel,” will tie into a holistic approach to wellness—one that, of course, includes sexuality.

“We create brave spaces for people to come together to reveal themselves, maybe for the first time,” says Jaylene McRae, Two-Spirit research coordinator at CBRC, in a release. “Each day as we walk on this earth, we have an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other. Showing up in a good way, we foster environments of freedom and strength as Two-Spirit people for Two-Spirit people.”

Beyond Vancouver, associated celebrations are planned in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Sault Ste. Marie, with more to follow.

The CBRC continues to urge others to organize their own events, in hopes that solidarity for the movement will push it towards an official day of celebration.

“We resist tokenization, appropriation, and assimilation,” says Martin Morberg, Two-Spirit program coordinator at CBRC, in a statement. “Instead, we invite allies, co-conspirators, supporters, and advocates to join us in centring, elevating, and celebrating Two-Spirit people through their resurgence of activism, Indigenous-led initiatives, leadership development, community engagement, and reclamation.”