Our Mission

To create a place where Two Spirited people and Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS can grow and learn together as a community, fostering a positive self-sufficient image, honouring our past and building a future.

We offer a place to meet, address homophobia and heterosexism, improve the quality of life of Aboriginal persons affected by HIV/AIDS, promote tolerance and diversity, promote healthy relationships and healthy lifestyles and reclaim the sacred role as Two Spirit people.

About 2-SPIRITED PEOPLE OF THE 1ST NATIONS

In our culture, before the arrival of Europeans to North America, "Two Spirited" referred to an ancient teaching. Our traditions tell us of people who were among us that had the gift of living their lives in both genders, spiritually, physically, that of both male and female. The Two Spirit identity does not match Western concepts of gay, lesbian or bisexual, nor does their cultural history or personal life stories.

2-Spirits is a nonprofit social service organization whose membership originally consisted of Aboriginal lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in North America. Due to the AIDS epidemic, the organization was prompted to have health, support and advocacy expertise. 2-Spirits programs and services include HIV/AIDS education, harm reduction tools and education, health promotion and practical support for Two Spirited people and other Aboriginal persons living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Families and loved ones also have access to these services and information.