Two SPIRIT Progress Pride Flag

Since the creation of the eight-striped flag by Philadelphia Pride in 2017 and the Progress Pride Flag by Daniel Quasar we have seen multiple variations of the pride flag pop-up adding representation to various identities that have been the most marginalized within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Amongst all of these new flags, we wondered why hadn't one been created for Two Spirit peoples. As a Metis, Two Spirit person, Board Chair Mitchel Bowers took it upon themselves to create the flag they felt was lacking. 

"Two Spirit people were the first queer people to live on this land, and they have done so while fighting against colonial oppression such as homophobia and transphobia. They deserve to be represented overtly to ensure that their stories and traditions live on and are handed down from generation to generation." - Mitchel Bowers

Amplifying Indigenous voices is a priority for Pride YMM in all aspects of our operations and flying this flag is one way we are putting that intention into action. We are so pleased that during 2022 Pride Week the Two Spirit Progress Pride Flag will be the official flag raised at our opening ceremonies at Keyano College, as well as the flag flown at Jubilee Plaza by the RMWB. 

We hope others will adopt this flag and have made the file readily available below if you would like to get your own flag made.

Video (on YouTube): What Does "Two-Spirit" Mean? | InQueery | them. 

Two Spirit Tea Podcast:  A podcast created by Two Spirit activists and drag queens: Ella Lamoureux/Dustin Dufault and Simma Downe/Mitchel Bowers. Episodes cover a wide range of perspectives from Pride, Indigenous beliefs, and Two Spirit identity. Two Spirit Tea uses an array of knowledge and experiences to put forth a powerful voice on pop culture and current events.

2 Crees in a Pod Podcast episode: “Embracing my two-spirit journey with Prestin Thotin-awasis” (CW: residential schools, colonial violence, suicide) 

Two Spirit: The Canadian Encyclopedia: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/two-spirit 

Edmonton 2 Spirit Society: www.e2s.ca/ 

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations: www.2spirits.com 

Trans Equality Society of Alberta: About Two Spirit: www.tesaonline.org/about-two-spirit

Where the Rivers Meet: A Fyrefly Institute educational initiative that is connected to Fyrefly in Schools. This program focuses on bringing culturally relevant teachings based on Indigenous ways of knowledge. Teachings include traditional and contemporary perspectives on Indigenous gender and sexual diversity. We work primarily in the Edmonton region but are expanding to serve indigenous communities, schools, and organizations all across Alberta.

We also offer some professional development for those who are looking for ways to support Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous youth. Where the Rivers meet first began in 2015 and was a project that grew out of the need to address systemic discrimination and create specialized programming catering to the lived realities of Two-Spirit, and LGBTQ+ Indigenous youth.