Kwey, Hello!
We aim to support and amplify the voices of filmmakers who are Indigenous Trans+, nonbinary, intersex, gender-nonconforming, including gender variant Two Spirit people and Indigenous people with community-specific genders. We also prioritize our goal to be in good relation to the unsurrendered Algonquin territory on which the TMP Lab at Carleton is located. As a part of these two aims, we have gathered a list here of important and inspiring Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Indigenous organizations, artists and resources.
We would also like to bring our readers’ attention to A Labour of Love by Fayant, Christmas, Mathews, and Lewis, a report that documents Indigenous organizers’ struggle for adequate pay, protection, benefits, and program funding. Indigenous organizers provide community support, education, and frontline services to protect their communities and cultures from genocidal violence but still often struggle to meet their own basic needs and fund their programming. Many of the organizations and organizers on this page are affected by this issue.
Although we pay special attention to the land where our lab is located, we understand that colonialism is a global system of political, cultural, and economic domination. We have included resources to highlight the different knowledge systems associated with different lands and Indigenous Peoples. In doing so, we encourage you to reflect on land as more than an exploitable resource and what international anti-colonial solidarity looks like.
Territory Acknowledgement
After consulting with Indigenous leaders and arts organizers, our lab collaboratively wrote the following statement.
Carleton University and the Transgender Media Lab offices are located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Nation. Members of our lab also live on many different territories across Turtle Island (North America).
Settler colonialism is a structure that builds a nation over existing Indigenous societies, through the elimination of Indigenous Peoples and social structures. In the Canadian context, this has expressed itself in the form of cultural genocide, including the forcible removal of Indigenous Peoples from their lands and exploitation of the land as a resource.
Universities have long contributed to colonial harms, including:
- stealing Indigenous lands and resources
- treating colonized and enslaved people as things
- pathologizing trans and Two-Spirit lives and bodies
- maintaining Western colonial and sexist concepts of gender and sexuality
Colonialist research has often denied Indigenous Peoples sovereignty and the right to make their own decisions. We strive to break this pattern. We aim to uphold the ways Indigenous artists, communities, and nations continue to define themselves and their rights.
Being on Anishinaabe Aki or Algonquin territory comes with responsibilities. Throughout our work, we strive to understand the obligations this creates for us here and now. We must take individual and collective action to honour our obligations and move forward in a good way.
Chi miigwech.
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Good Territorial Relations
Which Territory Do You Live On?
Use the Native Land interactive map to learn more about Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages.
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
The two Algonquin nations which are located closest to our TMP Lab at Carleton are the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (Maniwaki, Quebec) and Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (Golden Lake, Ontario).
Visit the Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre which aims to educate, preserve and share Anishinaabe Algonquin culture, history, language, and traditions. The beautiful circular building is open year-round and includes exhibits and a shop of handmade goods.
Read the latest News from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.
Buy some Awazibi Pure Maple Syrup: Awazibi is part of the Kitigan Zibi Natural Resources and Wildlife Office which looks after forest management, the Guardians program and Species at Risk projects, and the yearly stove wood harvest.
Read the latest Newsletters from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan.
Visit the Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin / Algonquin Way Cultural Centre and Gift Shop at 469 Kokomis Inamo, Pikwàkanagàn, Golden Lake Ontario.
Check out the Algonquin language resources and online exhibits at Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin: This website, which aims to “revitalize, reintegrate, enhance and protect the cultural traditions, customs, practices, heritage, language and arts of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation,” includes an Algonquin dictionary and many language learning resources as well as information on history, cultural symbols and artifacts.
Local Indigenous Friendship and Cultural Centers in Ottawa
Support the Wabano Indigenous Health Centre: Wabano leads programs for and by Ottawa’s urban Indigenous community designed to create a sense of safety and belonging and support community health. Non-Indigenous people can support Wabano by donating or volunteering. Indigenous people can support Wabano’s work by becoming members and supporting their programming.
Get involved with the Minwaashin Lodge: Indigenous Women's Support Centre: The Minwaashin Lodge creates programming for Indigenous women who have survived violence, with programming centering domestic violence, doula services, transitional housing, and anti-human trafficking. Get involved with the Minwaashin Lodge by volunteering, donating, becoming a member, and becoming educated on their work.
Support Odawa Native Friendship Centre: Friendship centers like Odawa are essential service providers for urban Indigenous people, becoming a primary point of contact for culturally-appropriate care and resources. Odawa’s services range from early life to urban Indigenous alternative education, to adult and late adult support. Support Odawa by helping to fund their programs, attending or sponsoring their events, and sharing their programming with community members.
Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G): an Indigenous-owned and youth-led non-profit organization focused on cultural support and empowerment programs for Indigenous youth which is led by traditional knowledge and Elder guidance. Visit their social enterprise shop Adaawewigamig in the Byward Market in Ottawa, check out their current initiatives, and donate here.
Looking for your local Friendship Centre?
Check the listings on the National Association of Friendship Centres, a network of over 100 Indigenous-operated community hubs offering programs, services and supports to urban Indigenous people in Canadian cities.
Two Spirit and Indigenous Trans+ Arts
Indigenous Trans+ Filmmakers
Indigenous Theatre + Film Festivals
Asinabka hosts an annual Indigenous film festival in Ottawa each August as well as other events throughout the year.
Watch global Indigenous films at the ImagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto and online every October.
Watch movies created by Indigenous youth created as part of Wapikoni Mobile.
Attend the NAC Indigenous Theatre in which Indigenous stories and artistry are on display in Ottawa.
Indigenous Books, Archives + Resources
Two Spirit Archives at the University of Winnipeg documents the Indigenous Two-Spirit movement in Manitoba and throughout North America.
Indigenous Learning Resources List from the Carleton Centre for Indigenous Support & Community Engagement includes Vendors, Reports, Podcasts and Films, Artists, Learning Resources, and a Book List.
Indigenous-owned Bookstores based in Canada and the USA.
Raven Reads is an online Indigenous book and gift store, 100% Indigenous and woman owned.
Podcasts + Social Media
A slice of the amazing things out there!
The In-Between People Podcast (Spotify) unpacks colonial views on gender and sexuality by centering Anishinaabe teachings. They aim to amplify and highlight the stories of 2SLGBTQ+ peoples with their podcast.
Jaris Swidrovich (Linktree/Instagram) is a Two-Spirit Saulteaux and Ukrainian pharmacist and University of Toronto professor working to decolonize pharmacy practice and bring forward Indigenous practice and worldviews in medicine. Dr. Swidrovich uses social media to produce and share educational content.
Ignacio G Hutía Xeiti Rivera (Linktree/Instagram) is a BLatinx Indígena gender fluid artist, writer, speaker, and healer who founded Heal2End, an organization centred around ending child abuse.
Jamie John (Linktree/Instagram) is a two-spirit, queer Anishinaabe and Korean-American artist, filmmaker, writer, and activist who shares their block printing, zines, and other art to their social media.
Niizhaayek Alliance (Instagram) is a Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer-led organization based out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. They aim to combat the stigma and risks experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ Indigenous youth through their programming and collaborations.
Theo Jean Cuthand (Twitter/Instagram) is an award-winning Indigenous trans filmmaker, writer, and director who has made over 30 films since starting in 1995. TJ is of Plains Cree and Scots decent, based out of Toronto, ON, and a member of the Little Pine First Nation. He shares his art, life updates, and shares educational content to his social media.
Raven Davis (Tumblr/Instagram) is a Two-Spirit, trans, disabled Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community organizer. Raven works between K'jipuktuk, Halifax and Michi Saagig /T’karonto Territory (Toronto, Ontario). Raven’s social media features life updates, art, and political activist content.
Jazmine Smith (TikTok) is a two-spirit trans Cree content creator, filmmaker, makeup artist, and nail technician based out of Vancouver, BC. Jazmine runs a beauty studio geared toward trans and gender nonconforming people and an Indigenous jewelry business.
Donate
Recognizing the deep connection between the social-culture oppression and economic exploitation of Indigenous Peoples, we are sharing these financial initiatives. If you have the means and ability to assist, these Indigenous organizations would appreciate your support.
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations is a Toronto-based organization aiming to “celebrate our strengths as 2-Spirit Peoples to provide physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual advocacy.” They organize events, programming, and produce educational materials to celebrate and advocate for the sovereignty of Two-Spirit people.
Walking with Our Sisters provides information about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2S people in Canada, including local and family organizations, social media networks, and national organizations.
RAVEN Trust is engaged in a powerful legal and social fight to defend the treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples. They support their partners’ struggles to protect their land and rights from environmental destruction, exploitation, and physical abuse.
Native Youth Sexual Health - niizh jijaag gashkibijigan: Building Our Bundles of Support with Two-Spirit Youth is a 3-year project which aims to bring Two-Spirit youth together to share knowledge and develop resources to better represent their needs as a community.
Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction is a Two-Spirit and Indigenous Trans-led organization which aims to support Indigenous health and survival through the mental and physical effects of genocidal colonial violence. They create community programming, frontline services, and run arts programming for Indigenous youth.
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Two Spirit and Indigenous Genders: Why We are Using these Terms?
To read more about our approach, visit Our Approach to Indigenous Genders.
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