About 2SiMS

2 Spirits in Motion Society was founded in 2003, and incorporated in July of 2018, and an inaugural Board of Directors was formed. This group of dedicated 2 Spirit Indigenous Leaders were instrumental in navigating the startup of the Society and providing guidance to the Director General, Richard Jenkins. Part of the original vision and why “Foundation” was included in the name was to support local, regional and national activity to bring together 2 Spirit people through financial support and major fundraising. The Annual General Meeting held January 26, 2020, a name change was included in the new bylaws that were passed. It is now the 2 Spirits in Motion Society. In this and most reports, the acronym of 2SiMS is commonly used to refer to the Society.

A draft new version of the vision and mission statements was posted on the 2 Spirit in Motion’s website prior to the 2nd Wind Forum. People were asked if they agreed with the draft, whether they wanted changes or whether they wanted to keep the original versions. A majority of people in all areas agreed with the recommended new versions, however, a significant number also wanted some strengthening.

VISION

2 Spirit people fulfill their aspirations through value, respect, safety, honor, belonging, inclusiveness and selfdetermination, as first peoples of the northern region of Turtle Island and as part of 2 Spirit people around the world.

MISSION

Create, maintain, and strengthen a safe and supportive environment for 2 Spirit people to express themselves through cultural ways of knowing and being around gender and sexuality; and to succeed and be empowered in all areas that is grounded in the medicines that 2 Spirit people carry.

MANDATE

Provide national leadership that supports and reinforces the vision, mission and mandate of 2SiMS.

Formalize, strengthen and maintain a national network of 2 Spirit organizations and individuals, including a regional representative structure.

Develop and deliver resources through a series of educational programs and outreach services that increase awareness about the positive roles and place of 2 Spirit people, including specific issues for those with disabilities.

Create and find opportunities to provide social, cultural and spiritual connections and mentorship where sought, for 2 Spirit people that enhances their self-esteem and wellbeing, such as through Gatherings. Establish and maintain a resource bundle that utilizes communication tools as the basis for promoting areas of focus, including but not limited to:

• Arts and Entertainment • Child Welfare

• Culture and Language • Economic Development & Employment • Education • Environment • Health and Mental Health • Housing and Homelessness • Justice • Media

2SiMS will utilize various approaches to solidify the Vision, Mission and Mandate through such efforts as annual forums; bi-annual training sessions; partnership development; enhancement of services; research that is led by 2 Spirit people and resource development. These collective tools and resource bundles are aimed at creating safer and supportive social environments for 2 Spirit people.

This mandate acknowledges the traditional family and community structures of our collective nations of Inuit, Métis, First Nations and urban Indigenous people. It also acknowledges the histories we have endured as a result of colonialism, that have contributed to a need to be trauma informed and culturally-responsive, utilizing principles behind harm reduction.

Wherever possible, 2 Spirits in Motion Society will function within using Indigenous languages and ceremony in how we do our work, recognizing that we must operate within the bilingual nature of what is now called Canada.

VALUES

Many Indigenous people acknowledge the Seven Grandfather Teachings and adopt them as the values their organization or community would follow. These particular teachings haveoriginated with the Ojibwa (Anishinaabe) however, many see them as universal.

The Seven Grandfather Teachings are as follows:

• Humility • Bravery • Honesty • Wisdom • Truth • Respect • Love

During the 2nd Wind Forum, Ma-Nee Chacaby, one of our 2 Spirit Elders, shared a vision she had about an eighth teaching on forgiveness with a strong connection to geese. She spoke eloquently about the need for our communities to consider opening our minds and hearts to the practice of forgiveness as we move through efforts of reconciliation and healing and into this time of the eighth fire. She further shared that healing will be limited and challenged without first forgiving ourselves for the wrongs we committed against ourselves and others and then forgiving others who we perceive as having wronged us. 2SiMS will adopt these new Eight Grandfather Teachings as the Values this organization will hold true in how we do our work.