Two-Spirit Resurgence: Indigenizing SOGI-Inclusive Frameworks

2023 saw the introduction of a brand-new role for SOGI 123: our SOGI 123 Lead – Indigenous Dialogues. The SOGI 123 Indigenous Dialogue Lead aims to create space for Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQ+ Indigenous peoples and their allies to safely offer relationality and reflection to one another; work collaboratively toward a vision of SOGI-inclusive education that disrupts colonial constructs of identity, sexuality, and gender; and aims to offer culturally safe, relevant resources to educators in a way that weaves the myriad of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ experiences throughout.

While the work of Indigenizing SOGI 123 had already been years in the making, the creation of a role dedicated to this important work was the realization of a long-term goal for ARC Foundation. By working directly with educators, we hope to impact students and ensure they have a sense of safety, belonging and dignity in their schools.

Thus far, we have been able to create lesson and unit plans, educator-facing resources that help explain what it means to be Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer, and even create a Learning Burst video educators can use for their own ongoing professional development. We hope to continue this work moving forward and are so grateful for the ongoing collaboration of those in our Dialogue Circles, the organizations committed to helping us share our work, and the educators who are always seeking to expand their SOGI-inclusive education knowledge base.