Thank you for joining us at Arizona's 1st Two-Spirit Powwow! Below are some picture of the wonderful event!
Event Recap - Prepared by Sheila Lopez (Lead Event Coordinator)
Event date/time/location: Saturday, March 9, 2019 from Noon to 5pm at South Mountain Community College
Summary: The event brought together Native LGBTQ/Two-Spirit and ally communities from across Arizona and the country. The day was filled with traditional Native blessings, dancing, non-profit information booths, movie screening of “Two-Spirts”, arts/crafts and traditional Native food. With this gathering we were able to create a Safe Space for all our participants and brought healing to the community.
Attendance: College staff estimated ~ 800 attendee’s visited the day of the event (this was based on other events held at the college). We estimated that we had ~400 stay for the entire day.
Community Organizations/Non-profits: We had a total of 20 non-profits participate. The organizations that participated either focused on supporting LGBTQ individuals or Native American health and wellbeing. We also partnered with Native Health who offered free HIV testing during the event.
Food vendors and artists: Artists and food vendors were available for our attendees to purchase arts/crafts and food.
Event Overview: The event started with blessings by two Native elders, a welcome from the Native PFLAG President and the South Mountain Community College Vice President. We began the powwow with grand entry, which is when the flags are brought in along with all the dancers. The US, Arizona State, Rainbow and Trans flags were brought in by community members. We also welcomed all tribes to bring in their Nation’s flag and the following tribes joined us: Salt River Indian Community, Gila River Community, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (California) and the Navajo Nation. At grand entry, “head dancers” bring all dancers into the powwow arena, below is the list of our head dancers:
What made our powwow different?
Traditionally, powwow categories are listed with the gender binary (“Women” and “Men”). However, many tribes recognize more than two genders so the powwow committee decided to remove gender from all categories. This gave all dancers an opportunity to participate in the category they wish to. We welcomed all gender expressions and honored those that don’t identify with the gender binary. Our head dancers represented the gender binary along with Two-Spirit people. With this simple act we created a welcoming and safe environment for all attendees.
How many other Two Spirit powwows are there?
We are only aware of two other Two Spirit powwows. One is held in San Francisco, hosted by the Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow (BAAITS), it has been held for the last 8 years. The other took place last year at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
News Coverage:
Arizona Republic https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2019/03/11/lgbtq-native-community-gathers-arizona-first-two-spirit-powwow-south-mountain-community-college/3096634002/
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/for-many-native-americans-embracing-lgbt-members-is-a-return-to-the-past/2019/03/29/24d1e6c6-4f2c-11e9-88a1-ed346f0ec94f_story.html?utm_term=.020d9ad539cb
Video of the Grand Entry: https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/phoenix/2019/03/10/grand-entry-arizonas-first-two-spirit-powwow-march-9-2019/3126201002/
Powwow Committee Members:
Sheila Lopez, Native PFLAG / Lead Event Organizer / Powwow Chair
Ryan Rumley, Powwow Expert / Master of Ceremonies
Storm Salazar, Native PFLAG Board Member and founder of Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona
Vicci Williams, Native PFLAG Board Member and Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona Member
Daniel Wood, Salt River L.O.V.E. President
Iann Austin, Salt River L.O.V.E. Member
Te Titla, Salt River L.O.V.E. Member / Miss Apache Diva / Royalty Connection
Gerard Begay, SMCC
Kyle Mitchell, SMCC
Don Jensen-Bobadilla, SMCC
Timothy Ruise, Avellaka Program, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (San Diego)
Powwow Sponsors: Native PFLAG, Phoenix PRIDE Community Grants Program, South Mountain Community College, Salt River L.O.V.E, Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona and Avellaka Circle (Rainbow of Truth).
Event date/time/location: Saturday, March 9, 2019 from Noon to 5pm at South Mountain Community College
Summary: The event brought together Native LGBTQ/Two-Spirit and ally communities from across Arizona and the country. The day was filled with traditional Native blessings, dancing, non-profit information booths, movie screening of “Two-Spirts”, arts/crafts and traditional Native food. With this gathering we were able to create a Safe Space for all our participants and brought healing to the community.
Attendance: College staff estimated ~ 800 attendee’s visited the day of the event (this was based on other events held at the college). We estimated that we had ~400 stay for the entire day.
Community Organizations/Non-profits: We had a total of 20 non-profits participate. The organizations that participated either focused on supporting LGBTQ individuals or Native American health and wellbeing. We also partnered with Native Health who offered free HIV testing during the event.
Food vendors and artists: Artists and food vendors were available for our attendees to purchase arts/crafts and food.
Event Overview: The event started with blessings by two Native elders, a welcome from the Native PFLAG President and the South Mountain Community College Vice President. We began the powwow with grand entry, which is when the flags are brought in along with all the dancers. The US, Arizona State, Rainbow and Trans flags were brought in by community members. We also welcomed all tribes to bring in their Nation’s flag and the following tribes joined us: Salt River Indian Community, Gila River Community, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (California) and the Navajo Nation. At grand entry, “head dancers” bring all dancers into the powwow arena, below is the list of our head dancers:
- Jordan Waquiu, Pueblo of Laguna, from the village of Mesita. Her clans are big sun and little eagle, and she identifies as two-spirit. She has been on her journey for 5 years and has endured many struggles within the tribal community. Despite the struggles she is honoring herself and showing future generations how to do the same. She couldn’t have done it without the help of her husband (Vincent) who has been by her side.
- Lacy Bacon, Shoshone-Bannock/ Colville / Spokane Tribes. She is honored to be asked to participate at as a head dancer. In her tribe Two-Spirit people were known as healers and very special to traditional values. Lacy sees this as a special opportunity to express her gratitude. She will host an Owl dance special and encourages all Two-Spirit people and their allies to participate.
- Aaron Fry, Cherokee/Chickasaw and has been dancing since the age of 10 and is a champion southern straight dancer. He resides in Laguna Pueblo with his wife and their two children. Aaron is an ally of the LGBTQ/Two-Spirt community and is honored to be asked to serve as a head dancer.
What made our powwow different?
Traditionally, powwow categories are listed with the gender binary (“Women” and “Men”). However, many tribes recognize more than two genders so the powwow committee decided to remove gender from all categories. This gave all dancers an opportunity to participate in the category they wish to. We welcomed all gender expressions and honored those that don’t identify with the gender binary. Our head dancers represented the gender binary along with Two-Spirit people. With this simple act we created a welcoming and safe environment for all attendees.
How many other Two Spirit powwows are there?
We are only aware of two other Two Spirit powwows. One is held in San Francisco, hosted by the Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow (BAAITS), it has been held for the last 8 years. The other took place last year at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
News Coverage:
Arizona Republic https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2019/03/11/lgbtq-native-community-gathers-arizona-first-two-spirit-powwow-south-mountain-community-college/3096634002/
Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/for-many-native-americans-embracing-lgbt-members-is-a-return-to-the-past/2019/03/29/24d1e6c6-4f2c-11e9-88a1-ed346f0ec94f_story.html?utm_term=.020d9ad539cb
Video of the Grand Entry: https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/phoenix/2019/03/10/grand-entry-arizonas-first-two-spirit-powwow-march-9-2019/3126201002/
Powwow Committee Members:
Sheila Lopez, Native PFLAG / Lead Event Organizer / Powwow Chair
Ryan Rumley, Powwow Expert / Master of Ceremonies
Storm Salazar, Native PFLAG Board Member and founder of Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona
Vicci Williams, Native PFLAG Board Member and Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona Member
Daniel Wood, Salt River L.O.V.E. President
Iann Austin, Salt River L.O.V.E. Member
Te Titla, Salt River L.O.V.E. Member / Miss Apache Diva / Royalty Connection
Gerard Begay, SMCC
Kyle Mitchell, SMCC
Don Jensen-Bobadilla, SMCC
Timothy Ruise, Avellaka Program, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians (San Diego)
Powwow Sponsors: Native PFLAG, Phoenix PRIDE Community Grants Program, South Mountain Community College, Salt River L.O.V.E, Native Transgender Support Team of Arizona and Avellaka Circle (Rainbow of Truth).
