BUILDING BRIDGES AND BREAKING THE GENDER BINARY INDIGENOUS, TWO-SPIRIT IDENTITIES by Veronica L. Holyfield
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t all begins with smudging. Before entering ceremony, the tradition of smudging in Indigenous and Native communities is a form of purifying or cleansing yourself with sacred herbs and preparing your heart for connection. David Maes, who lives here in Colorado, is an elder in the Native community, and with the guidance of medicine man, revered community member, and Caddo/Comanche elder Thompson Williams, based out of Oklahoma, is preparing for a Talking Circle. The purpose of the Talking Circle on this evening is to provide a safe and comfortable space for four Indigenous, Two-Spirit individuals while honoring the spiritual format of group discussion. By exploring what this identity means to each individual, we will discover how incredibly unique and interestingly universal their experiences are. Yet, before entering the virtual Talking Circle, each person takes a moment to cleanse away stressful energy, release any stored negativity, and set intention for this sacred space. Traditions and ceremonies are the spiritual foundation within Native and Indigenous cultures; that is what creation stories, societal norms, and entire belief systems are based upon. While every community approaches the nature of ceremony in varying ways from their own spiritual leaders, the traditions honor space, time, and presence of being. First and foremost, the expectation is that of respect. No crosstalk was permitted in this Talking Circle, and there was no scheduled end. Those in the circle tenderly share whatever they feel called to speak about in the moment, and every voice is upheld and valued. Being led by their hearts, their minds are free to wander through stories and experiences freely as they share stories and effortlessly relate back to the topic at hand. It is unrushed, graceful, unifying, and humbling. 1 4 \\ D E C E M B E R 2 3 , 2 0 2 0
