Were There Two-Spirit People among the Anicinabek?
Were there alternative genders among the Anicinabek? The question emerged after a health centre, wanting to fight homophobia, sought to develop culturally appropriate tools based on the Anicinabe tradition. In collaboration with this centre, we conducted a study on gender and sex with people who are recognized as bearers of traditional knowledge. With the help of a literature review on two-spiritedness among First Nations in general, we noted that nothing in Anicinabemowin shows the existence of genders other than male/female and practices other than hete rosexual. Sexuality was a hidden domain and people were modest. The importance of discretion, in a context where reproduction was paramount, highlighted values that are fundamental to Anicinabek, such as respect and non-interference. Thus, being a “good man” and a “good woman” appears to be more important than one’s sexual or romantic preferences.