☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

Occupation Double, fall 2021: Anishinaabe contestant Jolie-Ann introduces herself to other participants as Two-Spirit. She explains this means “living with both a feminine and a masculine spirit within her” and being able to “charm both men and women.” Occupation Double’s production did not significantly focus on Jolie-Ann’s Two-Spirit identity, except for a few scattered mentions. How are Two-Spirit identities experienced within and outside Native communities? What are its origins and history? How is the education of children handled? How are social roles and rituals traditionally shaped around gender and sexual identity? With these questions and themes in mind, I will recommend three short films (one fictional and two documentaries) for you to discover a range of Indigenous voices speaking on the challenges, questions, and experiences related to being Two-Spirit.

Wildfire (2019), by Bretten Hannam

Directed and written by Bretten Hannam, a Two-Spirit individual from Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaw community, Wildfire (2019) portrays a mixed-race teenager and his brother escaping from their abusive, racist white father. During their flight, they encounter a Two-Spirit teenager from the Mi’kmaw community who aids their escape from the relentless pursuit of their father. He introduces his new friend to Mi’kmaw words and rituals, fostering a deep bond between the boys. With its succinct and subtle storytelling, Wildfire drops hints about the young people’s identities and journeys, making this short film a poignant and compelling piece. Additionally, Bretten Hannam extends these narratives and explores similar themes in a feature film titled Wildwood, released this year.

Two-Spirit (2007), by Ruth Fertig

Released at the Frameline’s Voice Film Festival in San Francisco, Two-Spirit was directed by New York-based documentarian Ruth Fertig in 2007. The film follows Joey Criddle, founder of the Two-Spirit Society of Denver, as he returns to his hometown after a long absence to attend his son’s wedding, whose profession as a preacher conflicts with his father’s Two-spirit identity. Here, he reflects on his life, initially marked by fear and isolation, and later by activism, solidarity, and resurgence: “Historically, traditionally, Two-Spirit people were viewed as very special people. […] When the Europeans came, they attacked that. […] So today our own people don’t even know about it a lot of times […] You know, that can be a hard thing when your people have forgotten some of their traditions and you try to remind them of it.” (0:53). In this music-free, unembellished short film, personal testimony takes the centre stage, offering a glimpse into the Two-Spirit communities of the United States and unveiling daily lives and relationships.

Two-Spirit People (1991), by Gretchen Vogel, Lori Levy, and Michel Beauchemin

While Ruth Fertig’s Two-Spirit focused on an individual’s journey, this second short film, also shown at Frameline’s Voice, highlights diverse Two-Spirit voices and perspectives. Directors Gretchen Vogel, Lori Levy, and Michel Beauchemin engaged with several individuals, including Terri Tafoya, a psychologist, Paul Gunn Allen, an English professor, Randy Burns, co-founder of the Gay American Indians, Clyde Hall, a tribal judge, Will Roscoe, a gender ethnographer and historian, and Janice Gould, a poet. Together, they discuss the origins of terms related to Two-Spirit identities, children’s education, the arts, and community responses. The spiritual aspect is emphasized: “In our belief systems, a person who has the qualities of both male and female is a person that can transcend both the physical and the spiritual world […] And there it’s what would be called a gift. And if you look at it as a gift, then you can find your place in the world.” (7:19). This documentary approach, focusing on recounted speeches and the discourse of those involved, ensures that Two-Spirit People, despite being from the 90s, offers a wealth of insights into the lives, sexualities, and genders of tTwo-S+pirit individuals.

¹ noovomoi (2021, August 26th). Découvrez les candidats d'OD dans l'Ouest, Online.

References

Director/creator : Bretten Hannam
Title : Wildfire
Date of parution : 2019

This short movie isn't available at the moment.

Director/creator : Ruth Fertig
Title : Two-Spirits
Date of parution : 2007

This short movie is available on YouTube. 

Director/creator : Gretchen Vogel, Lori Levy and Michel Beauchemin
Title : Two-Spirits People
Date of parution : 1991

This short movie is available on YouTube.