AIT-SCM and San Antonio College Present: Embracing Two-Spirit Identities

Embracing Two-Spirit Identities, presented by American Indians in Texas and San Antonio College, explores the meaning of Two-Spiritedness, Afro-Indigenous values, and the Afro-Indigenous queer history of Yanaguana (San Antonio, Texas). This presentation is a part of San Antonio College's celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Embracing Indigenous Identities and Connecting Native Pilam of Yanaguana. Because of the queer kinship between the presenters and audience members, our goal was to create a safe space for queer expression and thus, our presentation includes cultural humor and understandings outside of typical lecture guidelines. The main goal was to ignite conversation between students and their peers.

Also discussed is the conflict between Indigenous Futures and Essentialism. Essentialists hold the belief in a strict definition of what makes a Native a Native and yields little to no change; that we were our "most Native" before 1492. In contrast, Indigenous Futures acknowledges the impacts of colonialism but still validates our Native identities despite these changes. This perspective allows us the opportunity to create contemporary Native cultures, obtain autonomy and sovereignty, and uphold our traditional values.

Thank you again to San Antonio College for this opportunity!

Learn more about Two-Spirit Identities:    • Two Spirit Identity  
Learn more about AIT-SCM: https://aitscm.org/