NorthEast Two-Spirit Society

Is There A Rift Between White "Two-Spirits" and Native Two-Spirits

Bo Young is an accomplished author and educator of Two-Spirit traditions. He is writing the biography of Clyde Hall, Shoshone-Bannock elder. He was also much aquainted with Harry Hay "father of the modern gay rights movement. However, Young is not Native  and finds a fair amount of resistance from Native Two-Spirits:

Unfortunately, although Two-Spirit traditions have survived and still seem to be evolving, there is a perceived rift between the Native and Non-Native Two-Spirit camps. The June 1997 Pride Issue of Village Voice features an article by F. Thomas Edwards, which argues a separatist vision, demanding "a safe space" for Native American Two-Spirits to assemble free from white "imperialistic control freaks."

Kent Lebsock (Two-Spirit Elder) and Other Native Leaders Meet With Bolivian President

Our own Kent Lebsock and other Native leaders met with Bolivian President Evo Morales to discuss the dangers facing the natural world as well as human rights issues for Indigenous peoples. Lebsock states:

The election of President Morales is an historic event for all Indian peoples. For him to honor us by meeting with our traditional Native American leaders is another step in the undeniable presence of indigenous peoples in international advocacy, especially human rights.

Indian Country Today

Gov't Might Enforce US Mexico Border on Tribal Lands

Before America and Mexico there were tribal lands. These tribes would trade with one another, animals would roam free across terrain, and our place in this world was not delineated by latitudinal lines. However, the US government will vote on whether to enforce those imaginary lines and demand the Tohono Nation to accept a steel border across their nation:

The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on legislation to build a double-layered 700-mile-long fence on the Mexican border, a proposal already approved by the House.

If the fence is built, however, it could have a long gap — about 75 miles — at one of the border’s most vulnerable points because of opposition from the Indian tribe here...

“Animals and our people need to cross freely,” said Verlon Jose, a member of the tribal council representing border villages. “In our tradition we are taught to be concerned about every living thing as if they were people. We don’t want that wall.”

Are They Wrong To Sell Indian Culture?

I recently visited a web site that sold T-Shirts. Here was their newest one. So, being the activist Indian that I am, I wrote them an Email:

I noticed on your site you have a T-Shirt of a Mohawk Indian. I wanted to buy a T-Shirt of a Jew in traditional clothing. Do you have any?

As a Kumeyaay Indian I feel putting pictures of sacred warriors on T-Shirts and selling them for $28 is wrong. How much of that money goes to Tribes or reservations which live in 3rd world conditions in our 1st world nation?

Kevin VanWanseele
ne2ss.org
The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society

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Kent Lebsock Speaks: Why Can't America Have Human Rights?

Thursday, September 14, 2006 at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, Kent Lebsock, our Elder and Executive Director of the American Indian Law Alliance, was a member of the panel that addressed the question of: “Why Can’t America Have Human Rights?”

“The question itself is very compelling.  It assumes that the United States does not have a real human rights policy.  Although we, as Native peoples, have experienced this first hand, the United States pretends to be the champion of human rights in international forums.  The question smashes this myth and finally opens a real discussion on human rights policy in the United States.  We have always maintained that until the United States looks critically at its own violent history, they will never be able to fulfill any righteous leadership role in international movements or find spiritual peace within their own nation.” Kent said as one of the lead speakers.

Kevin VanWanseele and Karen Vigneault Deliver Shoes To Kumeyaay Children's Shelter

Kevin VanWanseele, his partner Forest Evashevski, and Twin-Spirit leader Karen Vigneault (Nations Of The Four Directions), made a trip to WÁ TA_LUS KUA’TEI  KUMEYAAY CHILDREN’S SHELTER OF TECATE on Labor Day weekend. They brought shoes from Payless to eight children living in a compound for Kumeyaay orphans. Modern day Kumeyaay people reside on both sides of the United States border. Some of these orphans were physically or sexually abused and were forced to leave their unhealthy living environments.

After greeting the children, the three of them bought pizza for the kids. They were all so thankful and cute.

Inyaj yam.

New Dating Online Service, E-Snag Looks Good But Very Few Two-Spirits

There's a new dating service on the Internet catering to the Indian community. AND there's a section for Males Seeking Males, however, there's only 7 total in America. For Females Seeking Females, there's even less, 2. However, every little bit helps when you're single right!?

E-Snag