About 2 Spirits In Motion Society

Who We Are

2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) is a national organization created to support the wellbeing of 2S people and strengthen the connections that link our communities across regions. We work with Elders, youth, leaders, and partner organizations from many Nations to respond to the social, cultural, and structural realities Two-Spirit people navigate.

Our direction comes from community. The priorities people raise during gatherings, consultations, regional visits, youth circles, and council discussions guide our work and shape the programs we develop. Through this approach, 2SiMS supports community education, cultural and land-based initiatives, youth leadership, national representation, and collaboration with Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations.

As a national society, 2SiMS brings community perspectives into federal, provincial, territorial, and sector-specific spaces where policy, research, and resource decisions are made. Our responsibility is to communicate clearly what 2S people experience and identify, and to ensure those realities are reflected in the systems that impact everyday life.

Our History

The work that led to 2 Spirits in Motion Society began long before the organization was incorporated. In the early 2000s, Two-Spirit people across several provinces were gathering on their own to address gaps in safety, recognition, and access to culturally informed supports. These early efforts included the 2 Spirits in Motion Forums in Edmonton and Toronto, where participants identified a clear need for a coordinated structure that could carry Two-Spirit priorities forward at regional and national levels.

2 Spirits in Motion Society was formally established in 2003, created in response to what community members consistently raised in these early gatherings. Over the following years, leaders continued to build informal networks, support gatherings, and connect organizations that were beginning to offer 2S programming in their own regions.

In July 2018, the organization became incorporated as a national society. A provisional board of ten 2S Indigenous leaders from different Nations guided this process, working alongside the then Director General, Richard Jenkins, to develop the systems, governance, and financial structure needed for long-term organizational stability. The name at that time included “Foundation,” reflecting the focus on creating a strong base for national coordination and support.

On January 26, 2020, during the 2nd Wind Forum in Toronto, members approved updated bylaws and a formal name change to 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS). This shift marked the organization’s transition from a developing structure into a fully operational national body with defined governance processes, councils, and membership.

Since incorporation, 2SiMS has expanded its presence across the country. The society has contributed to policy and research connected to MMIWG2S+, Indigenous health and wellness networks, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ advocacy, while continuing to support youth leadership, cultural projects, land-based initiatives, national gatherings, and regional community visits. As the organization grows, it continues to work from the same intention that guided its earliest gatherings: supporting the wellbeing of 2S people, strengthening relationships across regions, and ensuring that 2S perspectives are clearly represented in local, regional, and national conversations.

Our Mandate

2 Spirits in Motion Society’s mandate is to strengthen the wellbeing of 2S people across Canada by responding directly to what communities identify as important. Through gatherings, consultations, youth engagement, council participation, and partnership work, we hear the needs and priorities that shape our direction each year.

Our mandate includes creating safer environments, supporting leadership across generations, improving access to culturally informed programs and services, and strengthening connections among communities and organizations. We also work to increase recognition of 2S people in policy, research, and public systems, ensuring that community perspectives are represented in decisions that affect daily life. This mandate guides how we plan, how we collaborate, and how we carry community voices into regional and national spaces.

How We Work

2SiMS works through direct engagement with communities, organizations, and leaders. Our staff and council members participate in gatherings, regional visits, youth events, and national tables where 2S priorities are discussed. We meet with Elders, youth, and partner organizations to understand what support is needed and how we can contribute.

Our work includes program development, national representation, cultural initiatives, and coordination with Indigenous health, education, and policy networks. Each activity is guided by what 2S people identify as important for safety, visibility, and wellbeing.

The Teachings That Guide Us

  • Showing care, kindness, and responsibility in how we relate to ourselves and others.

  • Living in alignment with what is real and accurate, staying consistent in words, actions, and commitments.

  • Meeting challenges with determination, staying steady through difficulty, and choosing what is right even when it’s not easy.

  • Speaking truthfully, being accountable for actions, and maintaining integrity in how we show up.

  • Understanding our place among others, acknowledging that learning is ongoing, and not placing ourselves above anyone.

  • Using knowledge, experience, and good judgment to make balanced decisions.

  • Recognizing the worth of people, perspectives, and relationships, and acting with consideration.

  • Taking necessary action, stepping into responsibility, and continuing forward even when the path is uncertain.

  • Accepting responsibility when needed, addressing impacts directly, and choosing to rebuild trust over time.