Two-spirit powwow celebrates Indigenous Pride in Thunder Bay

The Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre's annual two-spirit Pride powwow on Saturday commemorated Indigenous queerness throughout Turtle Island. 

The event focused on inclusivity and encouraged people to go beyond traditional gender roles, allowing them to freely express themselves and gain new experiences.

Even showers and sudden rain downpours didn't shake the festivities on Current River Park. 

"When we have an event like this, everybody is welcome to dance whichever style they like," said Logan McIvor, an event organizer and two-spirit LGBTQ+ mentor at the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. 

"When we have the two-spirit drum here, anybody, regardless of gender identity or gender expression, are allowed to sit at that drum and experience those teachings and that learning opportunity sitting at the big drum."

Elder John Gagnon, from the Matawa Education Centre, also echoed the importance of treating people with respect, regardless of their differences. 

"If they're two-spirited, it's their choice, not ours — not our choice to tell them not to be like that. They're born with it." 

Two-spirit drumming

The powwow featured a two spirit-focused drum group, titled Two-Spirit Bear Moon Drum, Niizh Manitoowag Makwa Giizis in Anishinaabemowin. 

Host drummer Dayna Danger described it as a learning experience for everybody involved since the startup of the drum group in 2019. 

"We say two-spirit and we acknowledge like this feminine and masculine energy, but that doesn't necessarily define gender, it doesn't define sexuality," Danger said.

"It's like what I really see is like the in-between people, the people that can walk in many different roles and responsibilities." 

With drum groups often being male-dominated spaces, Danger expressed their gratification in being able to have that same space for others like themselves.

"I really want anybody to be able to come to this drum, to feel like they're welcome to the drum." 

They also anticipate that as special events like the powwow grow, it will get more two-spirited youth interested in drumming.

"Beat that drum to whatever beat that you need to," Danger said.