1995: Rexton
Rexton in 1995 was the twelfth Two Spirit Gathering. They started with the 1983 Manitoba Gathering with a call for all two spirt people in Canada to come together for a powwow. It's been in Michigan, San Francisco, Kansas, Seattle, and Portland. The Rexton gathering had 97 people and a real drum group for the first time instead of tapes. And was the longest one, a whole week. Registration was $75. Events included a no-talent show and singing.
2011: Dartmouth
The Dartmouth Gathering in 2011 was a follow- up gathering to launch the ASIST training workshop for Two-Spirits in the Atlantic Region. The Gathering was sponsored by the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS). Atlantic First Nations also provided funding for Two-Spirits/Indigenous LGBTQ to attend the two-day workshops at the Holiday Inn Harbourfront in January 2011.
The main goal of the Gathering was to provide knowledge about ASIST content and to provide the participants with basic ASIST training. Terry Young, ASIST train the trainer, led the workshops. W2SA advisory and participants attended the training. Time was allotted for group discussions, peer-share feedback, small group dialogues and scenarios.
The program for this gathering is here.
2011: Mawita'jik Puoinaq at Liscombe Lodge
There is quite a bit of documentation, posters etc for the event in the Halifax Rainbow Encyclopedia.
(get Tuma to tell the story of the creation of the Eagle Head Staff)
The Eagle Head Staff has its own page
2012 Pictou County Camping Weekend
2013 International Two Spirit Gathering
September 2013 in Wading River, Long Island, New York. The gathering opened with the Eagle Head Staff. Also on that trip, the staff went to Manhattan and the 9/11 World Trade Centre Ground Zero site.
2014: Madawaska, New Brunswick
There is an album of photos of the gathering here.
2016 & 2017: Mount Saint Vincent University, NS
2018: Nibezun, Maine
2018: Bangor, Maine Pride Parade
As the finale for the Nibezun Gathering, participants donned their regalia and headed to the Bangor Pride Parade
2021: Halifax Pride
The Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance hosted both Digital and In-Person events for Halifax Pride. The events took place from August 12-August 17th, the events were hosted by our Nova Scotia Community Engagement Coordinator, Kehisha Wilmot. These events included Workshops, Panels, Closed spaces for Two Spirit people, Storytelling, etc.
The detailed Event schedule can be found Here
2021: Fredericton Pride
We Collaborated with Fierté Fredericton Pride in 2021 in order to help create a more Indigenous presence for the pride. Gage Perley, Our New Brunswick Community Engagement Coordinator hosted 2 events alongside participating in a roundtable discussing political events in New Brunswick. The Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance marched in the parade as the honoured guest with the eagle head staff in hand.
2021: International Two-Spirit Gathering
2021 Marked the 34th International Two Spirit gathering, which was hosted by the Edmonton Two Spirit Society in Metis Crossing, Alberta. It was a 4 day event that consisted of Meetings, Workshops and Presentations, our Policy Analyst, Naomi Bird presented the W2SA's 2021 COVID-19 Report findings at this event.
2021: Regional Gathering, Truro, NS.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, The 2021 Regional Gathering was held both Virtually and In person. The In-Person gathering was hosted in Millbrook First Nation, NS. at the Hampton Inn, The weekend consisted of Presentations, Meetings, Workshops and Performances from individuals such as Elle Noir.
