Two Spirits, One Dance For Native American Artist

“Two-spirit” is how some Native Americans describe people whose gender identity doesn't fit as strictly male or female. Meet Ty DeFoe, who's using traditional dance to take this gender identity back from the negative connotations established during colonization.
Shot by video journalist Courtney Quirin for AJ+.
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[@angie8641]

I love indigenous culture, I love my people and my brothers and sisters. I love the ways we choose, the beauty of everything. I'm in love with my heritage and who I am. I'm both grateful and proud.

[@ShaddySoldier]

Angie Rodriguez
I bet you love a good chug of mouthwash too

[@kalimeister6180]

I'm grateful to have gone to graduate school with Ty. He is incredible.

[@mkvision]

I quite like the term two spirit. I also like the Japanese use of the term newhalf. These words have positive connotations.

[@emperorofholyrome5403]

I love indigenous culture, so thank you AJ+

[@mikeygoodboi]

Incredible. A real gift, A.J.

[@bunicescubob6803]

Beautiful....We are all ONE...

[@billspooks]

Thank you, Ty, for standing up.

[@blackcitroenlove]

Damn he's talented.

[@sethread8978]

I'm only confused by one thing. They said his mom is Ojibwe and his dad is Anishinaabe, but Anishinaabe is the Ojibwa word for the Ojibwe...

[@calliarcale]

How it is spelled tends to depend on the specific band. Some even use the old transliteration "Chippewa" in their official documentation. So it basically tells you his parents are from different Anishinaabe bands.

[@ShaddySoldier]

Seth R.
You may be confused on one thing but Ty is confused about everything

[@JAHenry]

They made an error in the overtitling. Ty's mother is Oneida.

[@R3DDWOLF]

beautiful

[@meredithvansickle8591]

beautiful!

[@valeryediamond7249]

Ty DeFoe is very light on their feet and clearly takes their spirituality very seriously and well meaning. This brings profound joy and I feel a needle of inspiration. Thank you!

[@ceciliohenry7777]

Yes keep spreading the word we are here we are listening brothers and sister!

[@arlenyherrera]

That was wonderful

[@isakbautista9705]

They are the most beautiful person I have ever seen

[@dazeddawson2650]

Beautiful work Ty, you are so inspiring

[@alwazetranztaft3686]

I am a Native American two spirit.

[@kamarbazarek8881]

That - was stunningly beautiful. Thankyou

[@alankruza997]

Simply wonderful! Ty is terrific.

[@tylertaws4359]

We'wha is my hero. I identify as two spirited myself. My mom is two spirited because she likes camping, fishing and stuff like that. I love my mom. I love my dad. I love my whole family.

[@gniteeveryone9134]

here's the thing ty
Anishinaabe is the tribe But Ojibwe is the language
its the same thing,

[@agonzalez03]

beautiful

[@misscrabsTO]

so beautiful. you can see the eagle in the dance

[@SoaringRedEagle]

Man!! I miss Hoop Dancing!!

[@torreytiessen1430]

Ty's mother is ojibwe and his father is anishinaabe? It's the same exact tribe hun, just say that his parents are ojibwe

[@virgenfj]

Doesn't dancing come "naturally" to all children?

[@luckyfishbone4822]

Nope, I can't dance for shit lol

[@estera.1568]

he's cute. but his voice killed it.

[@danielsqueque4591]

..🦊...something within the environment does this to our people,.....whoever filled him up with nonsense?,...this part about somebody’s personal is not talked about,..it is considered sacred,..🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@conradsmith1087]

ALL FOR THE GLORY & HONER OF THE MOST HIGH YHWH!A ELDER ONCE TOLD ME "NOBODY HAS TWO SPIRITS"

[@dripinwithsinz]

Na its not my tribe we don't do stuff like that 2 spirit homosexual stuff. So gay native americans not need to say it like all tribes like those type of things.

[@gwendolineho4205]

What about cis straight Native Americans that are accepting and supportive?

[@loo6357]

decolonize

[@stormy-le6pb]

I can tell this guy is a woman