Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ community members deserve dedicated supports within their communities. This project recognizes the needs of youth of diverse gender and sexual identities. It’s youth-led and involves the creation of supportive Friendship Centre programming and training modules. It also includes digital storytelling projects that document the experiences of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ urban Indigenous youths.
The needs of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ were identified as distinct priorities to be addressed by Friendship Centres. This 3-year project was launched in late 2018 in four Friendship Centre communities: Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre, Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre and Dryden Native Friendship Centre. This project importantly marks the first-time services and programming specifically geared toward Two Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ youth are being offered at Friendship Centres through a dedicated Mentor.
