Statement from Minister McLean and Minister McPhee on Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Awareness to Celebration Day in the Yukon

Press Release

Mar 20, 2025

Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee have issued the following statement:

“Today we observe Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Awareness to Celebration Day in the Yukon. The fact that this day falls on the spring equinox is not by chance – it aligns with the idea of celebrating new beginnings and embracing positive change. The celebration of the Two-Spirit Day comes at an important time, when transphobic policies based on hate and ignorance are being passed internationally, stripping transgender and gender-nonconforming people of their fundamental rights to self-expression and self-determination.

“Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ identities, expressions and experiences have always existed. Indigenous peoples have long had complex gender systems in place. Broadly speaking, Two-Spirit people were well-loved and respected and often held important roles in their communities, such as negotiators, healers, counsellors, storytellers and knowledge-keepers.

“However, colonial violence – both historical and ongoing – has had enormous negative impacts on Two-Spirit+ and Indigiqueer people. A colonial understanding of gender binary creates an unequal power dynamic between all of us, as well as those who conform to it and those who don’t. It perpetuates discrimination, disadvantages and violence. Recognizing and honouring Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ identities is a step towards healing and we lift our hands up to those Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people in the Yukon and beyond who have advocated for this day.

“Honouring the diversity of Indigenous sexualities and gender identities is an important step in the implementation of the Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ People Strategy and the LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan. It will bring us closer towards our ultimate vision: violence-free communities where Indigenous women, girls and Two- Spirit+ people are safe and respected.

“We – the Government of Yukon – need to maintain the momentum and continue to work with the Two-Spirit+ and Indigiqueer community to ensure that they feel seen and represented in all spheres of our public life. Ally is a verb, not a self-appointed title: the moment we stop working towards decolonization, we are failing at reconciliation.

“We encourage all Yukoners to join in this opportunity to learn more about the experiences, expressions and identities of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people and celebrate how their unique ways of being foster diversity and inclusion and enrich our society as a whole.”

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

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