Description
Book Synopsis: Winner of the 2023 Prose Award in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology
Finalist for the 2023 Publishing Triangle Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction
A sweeping history of Indigenous traditions of gender, sexuality, and resistance that reveals how, despite centuries of colonialism, Two-Spirit people are reclaiming their place in Native nations.
Reclaiming Two-Spirits decolonizes the history of gender and sexuality in Native North America. It honors the generations of Indigenous people who had the foresight to take essential aspects of their cultural life and spiritual beliefs underground in order to save them.
Before 1492, hundreds of Indigenous communities across North America included people who identified as neither male nor female, but both. They went by aakíí'skassi, miati, okitcitakwe, or one of hundreds of other tribally specific identities. After European colonizers invaded Indian Country, centuries of violence and systematic persecution followed, imperiling the existence of people who today call themselves Two-Spirits, an umbrella term denoting feminine and masculine qualities in one person.
Drawing on written sources, archaeological evidence, art, and oral storytelling, Reclaiming Two-Spirits spans the centuries from Spanish invasion to the present, tracing massacres and inquisitions and revealing how the authors of colonialism’s written archives used language to both denigrate and erase Two-Spirit people from history. But as Gregory Smithers shows, the colonizers failed—and Indigenous resistance is core to this story. Reclaiming Two-Spirits amplifies their voices, reconnecting their history to Native nations in the 21st century.
Details
Discover the untold history of gender, sexuality, and resistance in Native America with "Reclaiming Two-Spirits: Sexuality, Spiritual Renewal & Sovereignty in Native America". Winner of the prestigious 2023 Prose Award in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, and a finalist for the esteemed 2023 Publishing Triangle Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction, this groundbreaking book is a must-read for anyone interested in the decolonization of Indigenous traditions.
Step into a world before 1492, where hundreds of Indigenous communities embraced and celebrated people who identified as both masculine and feminine. With captivating storytelling, archaeological evidence, art, and written sources, "Reclaiming Two-Spirits" unveils the rich history that existed before European colonizers invaded Indian Country.
Centuries of violence and persecution followed the colonizers' arrival, posing a threat to the very existence of the Two-Spirit community. However, the resilience and strength of Indigenous people cannot be erased. This book sheds light on the courageous acts of resistance undertaken by Two-Spirits throughout history, reaffirming their rightful place in Native nations today.
By delving deep into the written archives and shedding light on the intentional erasure of Two-Spirit people, Gregory Smithers brings their voices to the forefront. "Reclaiming Two-Spirits" amplifies the stories of these resilient individuals, connecting their past to the present and providing a powerful testament to the importance of cultural preservation.
Don't miss out on this transformative journey through history. Experience the power of reclamation and the resilience of the Two-Spirit community. Join us in embracing diversity, breaking free from the confines of colonialism, and celebrating the rich heritage and spirituality of Native America. Get your copy of "Reclaiming Two-Spirits" now!
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