what does two spirit mean

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous North American peoples to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits or qualities, often considered a third gender outside the male-female binary. It is a contemporary, pan-Indigenous term coined in 1990 to revitalize traditional Indigenous gender roles and identities that were threatened or erased by colonization. Two-Spirit people often hold unique social, spiritual, and community roles such as leaders, healers, and caretakers. The term is culturally specific and meant to be used by Indigenous people only, as it honors and reclaims traditional Indigenous concepts of gender and sexuality distinct from contemporary Western LGBTQ+ identities. Two-Spirit identities and roles vary widely across different Indigenous nations and can include a range of gender expressions and spiritual characteristics. It goes beyond just a gender identity and involves community, culture, and spirituality. In summary, Two-Spirit refers to Indigenous individuals who carry both male and female spirits, fulfilling mixed or alternative gender roles, with a deep cultural and spiritual significance unique to Indigenous communities.