Indigenous Genders and Sexualities

Catalog description

Examines the diverse understandings of gender and sexuality within Indigenous cultures, exploring how colonialism has impacted Indigenous gender systems, as well as the ways Indigenous communities are reclaiming and revitalizing traditional gender and sexual identities. Students engage with the histories, experiences and contemporary movements of Two-Spirit, non-binary and LGBTQ+ Indigenous peoples, while analyzing how gender and sexuality are intertwined with broader issues of Indigenous sovereignty, culture and resistance. Emphasizes decolonial perspectives on gender and sexuality and includes critical discussions of gender fluidity, the role of traditional knowledge in shaping gender roles, and the ways Indigenous communities challenge Western frameworks of gender and sexuality. Through case studies, literature and media, explores the resilience and resistance of Indigenous people in reclaiming gender identities.