37 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
C
olonization here on what we
now know as "Canada" has
stripped Indigenous peoples of
their beliefs and understandings of two-
spirit peoples and their significant place
in community. Pasha Saulis and her
LGBTQ2S+ Neqotkuk group in Tobiq, New
Brunswick wanted to reconnect to that
part of their culture, to find pride in their
identity, and to work to redefine their
place in community again. That's why
they put together a five-week workshop
on how to bead eagle feathers led by an
elder and artist.
Finding Pride in Indigenous
and Two-Spirit Identity
Pasha Saulis
This was all a very new
and sacred experience
for the group.
"We thought of this idea for the LGBTQ+
youth after a concerned parent reached
out to our group telling us that their
transgender son was struggling," explains
Pasha. "They thought that hosting
more support groups events would be
benefical and we thought this would be
a great way to bring the youth together,
while providing a safe space and social
interation during hard times."
The workshop provided a safe space
for the two-spirit people of Tobique to
explore their identity and feel a sense of
pride in themselves and in their culture.
As Pasha puts it, "This was all a very new
and sacred experience for the group."
A special thank you to Co-operative
Enterprise Council of New Brunswick
(CECNB) for sharing the #RisingYouth
grant opportunity with Pasha to make
this project possible.
