Ma-Nee Chacaby talks about Two Spirit identities

Summary

Ma-Nee Chacaby shares her journey as a two-spirit person from her Anishnaabe culture. At a young age, she was told by her grandmother about her dual male and female spirit and the challenges she would face. As she grew, she discovered her own sexuality and the meaning of 'two-spirited' within her community. Her grandmother advised her to explore her spirituality and find her place, emphasizing the importance of listening to her heart and mind. Chacaby reflects on the historical significance and respected roles of two-spirit people in her culture, encouraging others to embrace their identity and look after themselves and others.

Takeaways

• 👶 Ma-Nee Chacaby was identified as a two-spirit person by her grandmother during her early childhood.
• 👗 She felt uncomfortable in traditional female clothing, instinctively knowing she was different.
• 🌈 At the age of ten, Ma-Nee discovered her own sexuality, realizing she was attracted to girls.
• 📚 It was not until she was about sixteen that she fully understood the term 'two-spirit' through her grandmother's teachings.
• 👵 Her grandmother foresaw a challenging life for Ma-Nee due to her two-spirit identity.
• 🏛️ Ma-Nee was advised to explore different churches to find a place where she felt she belonged.
• 📖 Her grandmother encouraged her to learn from various religious teachings, even if just a little, to find personal guidance.
• 🙏 The concept of two spirits within her was explained as having both male and female sides, which would lead to a complex life journey.
• 🔥 Historically, two-spirit people in First Nations communities were respected and had specific roles, such as healers or visionaries.
• 💪 Ma-Nee emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and looking after oneself and others, regardless of others' opinions.
• 🏳️‍🌈 She is proud of her identity as a two-spirit person and will not let anyone's judgment change her self-perception.

Q & A

What did Ma-Nee Chacaby's grandmother tell her about being a 'two-spirit' person?

Ma-Nee Chacaby's grandmother told her that she was a 'two-spirit' person, which meant she had both a male and a female spirit living inside her, and that she would have a hard life because of who she was.

At what age did Ma-Nee Chacaby discover her own sexuality?

Ma-Nee Chacaby discovered her own sexuality when she was about ten years old.

What did Ma-Nee's grandmother mean by the Anishnaabe word that translates to 'two-spirit'?

The Anishnaabe word that translates to 'two-spirit' refers to individuals who possess both male and female spirits, and her grandmother used it to explain that Ma-Nee would face challenges in life due to her identity.

What advice did Ma-Nee's grandmother give her regarding her spiritual journey?

Ma-Nee's grandmother advised her to try different churches to find where she fits in, to take something from each experience, and to listen to her heart, mind, and body to find her true path.

How did Ma-Nee's grandmother describe the role of two-spirit people in the community?

Ma-Nee's grandmother described two-spirit people as having important roles in the community, such as keeping the fire alive in the village, learning from elders, and potentially becoming medicine persons, healers, or visionaries.

What was the attitude of the First Nations people towards two-spirit individuals according to Ma-Nee's grandmother?

According to Ma-Nee's grandmother, the First Nations people accepted two-spirit individuals as special people with gifts, and they were not made fun of or shamed.

What message does Ma-Nee Chacaby have for other two-spirit people?

Ma-Nee Chacaby's message to other two-spirit people is to take care of themselves, look after others, and not let anyone tell them differently about their identity.

How did Ma-Nee Chacaby feel about her identity as a two-spirit person?

Ma-Nee Chacaby is proud of who she is as a two-spirit person and does not care what others think of her.

What did Ma-Nee's grandmother suggest she do to understand her two-spirit identity?

Ma-Nee's grandmother suggested that she explore different religious teachings to find her place and to learn from various spiritual sources to understand her two-spirit identity.

What does the term 'two-spirit' signify in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'two-spirit' signifies individuals who embody both male and female spirits and have a unique role and identity within the First Nations community.

Outlines

00:00

🏳️‍🌈 Embracing Two-Spirit Identity

Ma-Nee Chacaby introduces herself and shares her early life experiences as a two-spirit person. Her grandmother first informed her of her identity at the age of four, though she didn't fully understand its meaning until she grew older. Ma-Nee always felt different and had a strong aversion to being dressed in traditional girls' clothing. As she matured, she recognized her own sexuality and identified with the term 'two-spirit,' which her grandmother had mentioned. Her grandmother advised her to explore various religious paths to find her place in the world and to learn from different teachings, emphasizing the importance of listening to her heart, mind, and intuition. Ma-Nee's grandmother also explained the traditional roles and respect given to two-spirit individuals in their community, highlighting their unique responsibilities and the recognition of their special gifts. Ma-Nee concludes by encouraging two-spirit individuals to embrace their identity and to care for themselves and others, expressing her own pride in who she is.

05:03

💰 Unwavering Two-Spirit Pride

In this brief paragraph, Ma-Nee Chacaby asserts the value of her two-spirit identity, stating that no amount of money could convince her that she is not a two-spirit person. This statement underscores her unwavering pride and acceptance of her identity, regardless of external influences or temptations.

Keywords

💡Two-Spirit

The term 'Two-Spirit' refers to individuals who identify as having both a male and female spirit within them, often associated with Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous cultures. In the video, Ma-Nee Chacaby discusses being told by her grandmother that she was a 'two-spirit' person, indicating a complex and unique identity that is both culturally and spiritually significant. The concept is deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions and is used to describe individuals who embody a blend of gender roles and expressions.

💡Anishnaabemowin

Anishnaabemowin is the language of the Anishinaabe people, an Indigenous group in North America. Ma-Nee Chacaby begins her narrative by introducing herself in Anishnaabemowin, highlighting the importance of language and cultural identity in her story. The use of Anishnaabemowin in the video serves to connect Ma-Nee to her heritage and underscores the significance of preserving Indigenous languages.

💡Grandmother

In many Indigenous cultures, the role of the grandmother is central to the family and community, often serving as a source of wisdom and guidance. Ma-Nee Chacaby's grandmother plays a pivotal role in her understanding of her Two-Spirit identity, providing her with insights and advice on how to navigate her life. The grandmother's words are a source of strength and identity for Ma-Nee, illustrating the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer in Indigenous communities.

💡Sexuality

Sexuality is a term that encompasses a broad range of topics, including sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, and sexual identity. Ma-Nee Chacaby shares her journey of self-discovery, acknowledging her attraction to girls at a young age. This self-awareness is a critical aspect of her identity as a Two-Spirit person and is integral to the narrative of her life experiences.

💡Anishnaabe

Anishnaabe is the plural form of Anishinaabe, referring to the people who speak the Anishinaabe language and share a common culture. The term is used by Ma-Nee Chacaby to connect her personal experiences to the broader context of her community and cultural heritage. It signifies the collective identity and shared history of the Anishinaabe people.

💡Spirit Child

The concept of being a 'spirit child' suggests a deep spiritual connection or a unique destiny. Ma-Nee's grandmother tells her she is a 'spirit child,' which Ma-Nee interprets as a sign of her Two-Spirit identity. This term is used to convey the idea that her life's path and challenges are intertwined with her spiritual and cultural identity.

💡Hard Life

The phrase 'hard life' is used by Ma-Nee's grandmother to foreshadow the difficulties she might face due to her Two-Spirit identity. It reflects the societal challenges and prejudices that individuals with non-conforming gender identities often encounter. In the context of the video, it also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength required to navigate such a life.

💡Churches

Ma-Nee's grandmother advises her to explore different churches to find a place where she feels she fits in. This suggestion reflects the search for spiritual belonging and acceptance, which can be a complex journey for Two-Spirit individuals. The mention of churches also highlights the role of spirituality and religious institutions in providing guidance and community support.

💡Elders

Elders in Indigenous cultures are respected for their wisdom and life experience. In the video, Ma-Nee's grandmother is an elder who imparts valuable advice and teachings. The role of elders is to guide and mentor younger generations, including Two-Spirit individuals, in their journey of self-discovery and understanding of their place within the community.

💡First Nations

First Nations is a term used in Canada to describe various Aboriginal peoples who are neither Inuit nor Métis. Ma-Nee Chacaby's reference to First Nations people and their acceptance of Two-Spirit individuals provides historical and cultural context. It underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of gender identities within Indigenous cultures.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Ma-Nee Chacaby's narrative is one of resilience, as she navigates her identity as a Two-Spirit person and faces societal challenges. Her story exemplifies the strength and determination required to embrace one's true self and to advocate for the acceptance and understanding of diverse identities.

Highlights

Ma-Nee Chacaby introduces herself and her identity as a two-spirit person.

Chacaby's grandmother foresaw a hard life for her due to her two-spirit nature.

Chacaby's early discomfort with traditional female clothing indicated her difference.

Understanding 'two-spirit' came later in life for Chacaby.

Chacaby discovered her own sexuality at the age of ten, realizing she liked girls.

At sixteen, Chacaby inquired about the meaning of 'two-spirit' from her grandmother.

The grandmother's advice to Chacaby was to explore different churches to find where she fits.

Chacaby was told to take what resonates from each church and learn from it.

The concept of two spirits living inside a person was explained by the grandmother.

Chacaby was advised to listen to her heart, mind, and body for guidance.

The grandmother shared the history of two-spirit people within the First Nations.

Two-spirit people were traditionally regarded as special with important roles.

Elders would mentor two-spirit individuals, teaching them their roles in society.

Two-spirit people were expected to learn everything others learned and fulfill specific duties.

Chacaby emphasizes the importance of self-care and looking after others as a two-spirit person.

Chacaby's message of pride and acceptance of her two-spirit identity.

Transcripts

Ma-Nee Chacaby (intro in Anishnaabemowin)

My name is Ma-Nee Chacaby. When I was born, and I was about four years old, my grandmother told me

I was a two-spirit person, child.

I was to a spirit child and that I had... I was gonna have a hard life when I grow up.

But I didn't know what that meant.

I never knew what 'Two Spirit' meant. Just even that word, until I got older and older

but I knew I was different and

When they tried to dress me up in a little girl clothes, I couldn't stand the little girl clothes. Nobody told me that,

I just didn't want to be one of those people... once I got older and I understood what two-spirit people was

I thought to myself, holy cow,

how am I gonna ever overcome that? I was about ten years old when I discovered my own sexuality

I liked girls

But then when I was about sixteen, when I asked, just before I was sixteen, I asked my grandmother

What did she mean by (word in Anishnaabe language)

And that's 'two spirited'. Two spirit itself didn't come till later for me

But (Anishnaabe word) came early because I knew what that meant

So I asked my grandmother what that what does that mean for me? And she told me oh my granddaughter

Yeah, I think you're gonna have a hard life. I don't know what's gonna happen to you, she said.

Yeah, because of your life because of who you are

People are so different now things are happening things are coming in here

You could see that, she said. And you're gonna have to try all kinds of churches if you want

She says, if you want to do that, just to see where you fit in, if you don't fit, you know,

at least you tried.

And she said, and it won't hurt you to go there if you go to church once

just discover something take one or line or two lines from it and learn from it, she said.

The god's in here. She lives inside of you

or he lives inside of you, she said. And that's who you are, she said.

(Anishnaabe word), you have two of them that lives inside of you, a male side and a female side,

and you're gonna have a hard life, and you have to

listen to your heart and your mind, and your tummy. When all that comes together

But true road is your journey, she said. You're born with two spirits

and you will know when you're born with that, because you'll know when you're born, when you'll know you're different

That's when you know who you really are

And one of the things you can do is ignore it and not pay attention to it

Or you can just start accepting that part of you and start learning from it

And then being two-spirit

it's

We were born that way

I mean way back like my grandmother used to say way back seven generations after seven generations. She's been told that

two-spirit people

exist with

The First Nations people and they did not say, 'Oh, you two, you're living together, shame on you'

they didn't say that, she said, they loved each other and

and the rules of two-spirit people had rules.

Their rules was never to let the fire go out in the village and then the other the other one was

To learn things from the other elders. Elders would take on

take on the two-spirit person, and teach them how to be in this,

what what they should learn about which one is going to be a medicine person, which one's going to be a healer

which one I was going to be the one, the visionary person, and

then which one was going to be the one that's bringing messages from the great spirit when they go out and they're

back to mother's womb and stuff like that. And also just

those were our jobs. We were supposed to learn everything

What other people were learning.

And our duties was to do those things and then they were regarded, you know, very

highly before. They were, they they were accepted as special people

With gifts. And they didn't make fun of them,

because some of them would be the parents of the

kids that was, didn't have no parents.

So

my message to all the two-spirit people or the ones I feel like they are. Your job

is to look after yourself and then look after other people and don't let anybody tell you different.

I don't let anybody tell me that anymore.

I don't let anybody tell me...

I'm proud of who I am. I don't care what they think of me.

The no million dollars is gonna convince me I'm not a two-spirit person.