skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Matt Gaetz withdraws bid to be attorney general in Trump administration; Bomb cyclone' turns deadly in Washington state; Coalition defeats repeal of WA Climate Act to save environment, jobs; ME businesses boost apprenticeships to counter workforce shortage; Advocates: NYC must help homeless student population.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transgender rights in Congress, a historic win for Utah's youngest elected official, scrutiny of Democratic Party leadership, and the economic impact of Trump's tax proposals highlight America's shifting political and social landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Two Spirit Gathering Celebrates More Than Montana's LGBT Native Americans

play audio
Play

Monday, August 20, 2018   

FLATHEAD LAKE, Mont. — The Montana Two Spirit Society, a Native American organization formed by LGBT groups, is holding its 23rd annual gathering this week at Flathead Lake.

The term "two spirit" doesn't simply describe LGBTQ Native Americans, however. Members of the group say it goes beyond sexuality and gender identity. Founder of the society Steven Barrios said "two spirit" defines a role in tribes that existed across North America before Europeans arrived.

"We don't consider ourselves gay, because with that term 'two spirit' comes a lot of responsibility,” Barrios said. “We give back to our communities. We take care of elders, our youth. We had roles in our community that carried responsibilities with that name."

Barrios said colonization took away the traditional role of two spirits, but groups like his are reclaiming it.

While each tribe has its own word for the concept, the umbrella term “two spirit” was coined in the 1990s to recognize that many tribes identify people with both male and female characteristics who are gender non-conforming. The gathering is a drug and alcohol-free event and runs through Wednesday.

Executive director of the Montana Two Spirit Society David Herrera said there will be cross-cultural talks at the gathering where people will discuss the effects of colonization on their cultures. Herrera said two spirit youths often experience bullying, and that is an issue his society addresses.

"Certainly among the Two Spirit native communities, youth suicide continues to be a big concern and one that a lot of times goes under-reported,” Herrera said. “So that's why a lot of the work that we do tends to focus around letting our youth know that they are welcome, that they do have a place."

Indigenous people from tribes across the country, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Laos, will be in attendance.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Since its founding, the CCA program has generated more than $2 billion for transportation and infrastructure upgrades, clean air and water initiatives, utility bill rebates, community solar, indoor air quality improvements and more. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

On Election Day, a broad coalition of conservationists, labor, and others helped defeat a ballot initiative to repeal Washington State's Climate …


Social Issues

play sound

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, teachers nationwide are bracing for more censorship battles. Currently, more than 40 laws in 22 states …

Social Issues

play sound

A new annual report shows New York City has more than 146,000 homeless students. The Advocates for Children of New York report finds this is an …


More than 3,000 Maine apprentices were actively working on industry-recognized skill certification in 2022, according to the Maine Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

State officials in Maine said they are working to expand the number of registered apprenticeship programs to help counter a persistent worker shortage…

Social Issues

play sound

School boards are nonpartisan, but a recent trend in Wyoming shows far-right candidates are bringing national politics to local elections. Public …

In 2020, roughly 9.9% of all U-S adults over age 20 were, or 28.6 million people, were affected by cardiovascular disease, according to a review article from the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

It is National Rural Health Day and experts are flagging research showing increasing health disparities between urban and rural places, including in …

Social Issues

play sound

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Social Issues

play sound

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021