What's life like for Canada's queer indigenous community? | DW Documentary

Key Concepts:

• Queerness and Indigeneity Intersectionality
• 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus other identities)
• Two-Spirit Identity: Individuals embodying both masculine and feminine spirits, holding sacred roles in Indigenous communities.
• Colonialism's Impact: Suppression of Indigenous gender and sexual identities through forced assimilation, residential schools, and religious institutions.
• Reclamation: Efforts to revive and celebrate Indigenous queer identities and traditions.
• Coming Out Journey: The personal process of acknowledging and sharing one's queer identity.
• Powwow Culture: Traditional Indigenous gatherings featuring dance, ceremony, and community.
• Intergenerational Trauma: The transmission of trauma across generations, particularly from residential school experiences.
• Safe Spaces: Creating inclusive environments where queer Indigenous individuals can express their authentic selves.

1. Introduction and Personal Context

• Serene Fox, a queer Indigenous woman from Bachuana First Nation, embarks on a journey to explore the intersection of queerness and Indigeneity.
• Motivated by motherhood and a desire to understand her identity for future generations, she aims to connect with 2SLGBTQ+ members across Turtle Island.
• She seeks to uncover pre-colonial queer Indigenous history, understand colonialism's impact, and promote inclusivity.

2. Beni's Coming Out Journey

• Serene begins her journey with Beni, a young woman from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, who is in the early stages of coming out.
• Beni is "outish," meaning she is open about her identity to some friends and one grandparent but hesitant with others due to potential hurtful reactions rooted in intergenerational trauma and fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
• Beni expresses concern about how her queerness will be perceived within the lodge (ceremonial space) and by her grandfather, the Grand Chief.
• The passing of her grandfather brought remorse that she didn't get to be herself fully before he passed.

3. Understanding Two-Spirit Identity

• The video explains the term "two-spirit," describing individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits, a concept rooted in pre-colonial Indigenous cultures.
• Two-spirit people held important roles in their communities, often seen as sacred and serving others.
• Oral histories and linguistic clues suggest the historical presence and significance of queer Indigenous people.

4. Powwow and Cultural Identity

• Beni and Serene attend the Rama Powwow, where Beni plans to wear pants instead of a skirt during the Grand Entry, a significant step in expressing her identity within Powwow culture.
• Beni expresses that she thinks that most people know that she is queer and if they don't they will soon find out.
• Beni is used to speaking up for things that are important to her so she doesn't think it will be a shock to people if she is doing what is going to make her happy.

5. Experiences with Discrimination

• Beni recounts experiences of homophobia and transphobia at her high school, including discriminatory messages on school iPads and a teacher's insensitive comments.
• She shares a story of a trans student being forced to conform to gender binaries in an Ojibwe class, highlighting the impact of colonialism on Indigenous language and culture.
• The erection of a large cross near the Kettle Point Formation symbolizes the ongoing influence of colonialism.

6. Colonialism and the Suppression of Queerness

• The video emphasizes the historical suppression of two-spirit identities by colonizers, who attacked gender and sexuality upon first contact.
• Practices like "putting two-spirited people to the dogs" were common, forcing individuals to hide their identities.
• Residential schools further enforced gender norms and binaries, causing trauma and disconnection from Indigenous cultures.
• Homophobia within Indigenous communities is presented as a direct result of the colonial project and residential schools.

7. Charlotte Nolan's Story

• Serene meets Charlotte Nolan, a 71-year-old trans woman and 60s Scoop survivor in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Charlotte shares her experiences of growing up in a transphobic and racist society, facing violence, addiction, and street work.
• She highlights the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights but acknowledges that full potential has not yet been reached.

8. Two-Spirit Land Project

• Charlotte and her friend Shantel are working on a land project to create a safe space for traditional ceremonies for the two-spirited community.
• The land will provide opportunities for programming and cultural connection for young people.
• The project aims to challenge patriarchal rules and create inclusive ceremonies where individuals can express their authentic selves.

9. Alona Verly's Drag Journey

• In Vancouver, Serene interviews Alona Verly, a drag queen and former contestant on Canada's Drag Race.
• Alona shares how drag helped her discover and accept her trans and two-spirit identities.
• She emphasizes the importance of representation and using her platform to inspire other queer Indigenous individuals.
• Alona discusses the backlash she received for wearing regalia on Drag Race, highlighting the complexities of cultural appropriation and sexualization.
• Alona's mother is her biggest supporter.

10. Beanie John's Advocacy

• Serene travels to Edmonton to meet Beanie John, a two-spirit hoop dancer and grass dancer, and her mother, Rosa.
• Rosa recounts Beanie's early desire to participate in grass dance and the acceptance she received from many community members.
• Beanie and Rosa discuss the discriminatory powwow rules that would have prevented Beanie from dancing grass dance due to her gender identity.
• Their advocacy efforts led to the rules being changed, demonstrating the power of collective action.

11. Joshua Kongapic's Perspective

• In Nunavut, Serene speaks with Joshua Kongapic, an advocate for 2SLGBTQI+ rights.
• Joshua discusses the challenges faced by queer individuals in smaller communities and the internalization of colonial values by some leaders.
• He emphasizes the importance of visibility and creating a more welcoming and inclusive society for LGBTQ+ Inuit people.

12. Beni's Continued Growth

• Serene rejoins Beni for her 16th birthday celebration, where Beni has recently come out to her grandma Sue.
• Beni shares the positive and loving reaction she received from her grandmother.
• Beni decides to come out to her grandmother in a safe space where she feels comfortable.
• Beni reflects on her progress in her coming out journey, including coming out to an auntie and dancing grass dance at the lodge.
• She expresses her desire to create safe spaces for others to be their authentic selves.

13. Conclusion

• The video concludes with a reminder that individual experiences are unique and ever-changing.
• It emphasizes the resilience and strength of queer Indigenous people, who have fought to survive and reclaim their identities.
• The future is presented as bright and strong if communities stand together, preserving culture and fostering connection.
• Serene Fox reminds viewers that queer Indigenous people are shape shifters, grounded in resistance, survival, and transformation.