Second annual Two-Spirit Powwow celebrates stamiyaʔ people: ‘It’s taken us generations to get here’

Alexis Tonasket-Hoyt isn’t the first stamiyaʔ (Two-Spirit) person in their family — but they are the first to dance openly according to their gender identity.

“That’s so important,” they shared. 

“It’s taken us generations to get here. And that’s not something that I’m willing to give up because of who’s in the White House, frankly.”

Tonasket-Hoyt — who is of syilx, Sinixt, Sanpoil, Scandinavian and Scottish ancestry — travelled from their home in “Spokane, Washington” to dance in kiʔláwnaʔ’s (Kelowna) Two-Spirit Powwow. The second annual event was hosted on June 28 by the Syilx IndigiQueer Council.

The powwow brought together families and all walks of life from the community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Many wore threads that honoured the colours of the pride flag, including Tonasket-Hoyt, whose vibrant regalia shined under the blistering sun.

There were also different vendors, artists and artisans with booths stationed around City Park. Pride flags were strewn throughout the makeshift powwow arbour, as the singing and drumming of Red Spotted Horse filled the air.

The gathering took on an urgent tone — particularly for those joining from south of the border — “American” ICE raids and arrests are escalated under President Donald Trump, and other “U.S.” policies are aimed at trans and gender-nonconforming people.

In January, Trump signed executive orders proclaiming that only two sexes — male and female — will be recognized.

Tonasket-Hoyt urged all of their gender-nonconforming kin to stay strong. 

“Just believe that we can make the world a better place — especially when it feels so broken and weird, especially down in the south,” they said.

The colonial border divided syilx homelands in 1846. While Tonasket-Hoyt made it safely across the border, one of the powwow’s head dancers from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, travelling from “Washington State,” was denied entry into “Canada,” according to event organizers. 

“It’s a reminder that colonial systems want to erase us,” said nc’icn Percy Lezard, a founding member of the Syilx IndigiQueer Council and the president of Kelowna Pride Society.

“Not only for our Indigeneity, but our intersecting identities as Two-Spirit, as trans, as disabled, as young.”

Despite the discriminatory attitudes that exist in the colonial spheres of both “Canada” and the “United States,” powwow organizers reminded people in attendance that stamiyaʔ people — from Two-Spirit to trans — “have always been here and will always be here.”

“We want people to know that we’ve been here, we’ve always been here and we’ll continue to be here. Because the circle is not complete if you don’t include 2SLQBTQIA+ folks,” said nc’icn, whose pronouns are mnimcelx (they/them).

‘I hope that my ancestors are just celebrating‘

During the powwow, dozens of dancers from across different age groups participated in various specials and categories, which were all designed to be welcoming and gender-inclusive.

There were categories such as Bustle Dancers instead of Men’s Fancy Dance, and Jingle Dress Dancers, where everyone wearing a jingle dress was invited to participate. 

Specials included an All Genders Special, a Two-Spirit Special and a Best Friend Special, which replaced the typical Sweetheart Dance Special.

Precious Merasty of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation won the All Genders Special, while six-year-old Jemma Louie of the syilx Nation was named as the winner of the Two-Spirit Special.

“Those are some of the ways in which we’re wanting to be inclusive, without bringing binaries into this particular powwow,” said nc’icn. 

The syilx IndigiQueer Council and its Two-Spirit Powwow in kiʔláwnaʔ was created as a response to the Kamloopa Powwow’s 2022 original contest rules, which sparked controversy throughout the powwow circuit at the time. 

“Some of the rules that came out of Kamloopa really were not supportive of single partners, and the ways in which they categorized young women. It was also binary,” said nc’icn, calling the powwow’s gendered-system a “colonial construct.” 

Before updating the dance rules “to reflect equality,” the 2022 Kamloopa Powwow initially stated that powwow dancers needed to be “at least ¼ Native Blood,” and that they must be of “the correct gender” for their category. There was also a scheduled “princess pageant” for girls aged 13 to 17, and the rules stated that contestants “must be single, having no children or spouse.” 

“We really wanted to help them be more inclusive, so that’s how we came to be as a council,” said nc’icn. “Ever since then, we’ve really wanted to move forward with all of our nations — the seven in the Okanagan Nation Alliance — to be inclusive of our 2SLQBTQ community membership.” 

At this year’s Two-Spirit Powwow, nc’icn said that they felt “seen, heard and valued.”

“What does that say for the young people who are in this arbour and are part of this circle? The affirmation and love that they feel being welcomed back into this circle — we see them, we value them and we love them for who they are.”

Tonasket-Hoyt described the event as “such good medicine” that “makes me want to live as long as I can.” They said that being there made them feel “safe and free to be me.” 

“It’s not only about us who are joining the circle today — it’s also about our ancestors. We’re doing something liberating for our ancestors, that they weren’t able to do safely. And we’re also doing this for all of the kids,” Tonasket-Hoyt said. 

“I hope that my ancestors are just celebrating.”

For Tonasket-Hoyt, they said the most important thing for them is seeing Youth at the powwow freely express themselves and experiencing joy in how they identify.

“These kids have this safe place and safe people. They know who the safe people are in their community, because we’re out here at this event,” said Tonasket-Hoyt.

They said that they hope everyone takes what they need from the event — especially Youth who need inclusion, acceptance and joy.

“I hope they take that and carry it as far it’ll take them,” Tonasket-Hoyt said. “Hold on, because better days are coming.”