Video, Past Event, Social Justice, Arts & Culture
Aboriginal Lecture Series: Two Spirit and Indigenous Transgender Lecture
This presentation discussed emerging themes from Two-Spirit and Indigenous transgender co-researchers in a community-based participatory research project about safety, well-being, belonging and place in the lives of transgender, Two-Spirit and gender-nonconforming people in Vancouver BC. This research project was developed and conducted in collaboration with transgender, Two-Spirit and gender nonconforming community members to address community health concerns and strategies for action. The study used Photovoice, a participatory action research approach that combines photography, storytelling and social action.
Speaker Bios
Cindy Holmes is a white, queer, cisgender researcher who was raised on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron people in Ontario. Her research explores intersections between violence, social inequities, health and place. It is grounded in over 20 years work in community health and social justice movements. She is a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University.
Bon Fabian is a proud Two-Spirit living in Vancouver, who runs Two-Spirit sweat lodges and is called to provide spiritual support for Aboriginal people who are sick in hospitals.
Elizabeth “Raven” James is a Native American Two-Spirit post-operative transsexual who has worked with the Trans PULSE Project, Taking Care of Business and the Sharp Access Project. She is a published author with Emerald Insight and the Canadian Scholars’ Press. She is a tough warrior who is a 3rd degree Midiwinn teacher.
Sandy Lambert is a Two-Spirit man who has been involved in the HIV/AIDS and Indigenous health movements for the past 10 years. This has included meaningful work as a Community Research Associate with many projects throughout British Columbia.
Chase Willier (Nirkwuscin) is a Two-Spirit Cree (nehiyaw) transman from Sucker Creek and Saddle Lake First Nations in Alberta. He spent most of his service in the RCMP working with Aboriginal peoples and was traditionally adopted by the Syilx Nation while working in their territory. Since retirement, he has been actively involved in numerous initiatives in the trans community.
Co-Presented by
SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement and SFU Indigenous Research Institute and the Office for Aboriginal Peoples
