Two-Spirits’ response to COVID-19: Survey Findings in Atlantic Canada identify Priorities and Developing Practices

Abstract

The Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance (W2SA), a regional Two-Spirit organization, administered an online survey in May of 2020 to identify priorities and concerns of Two-Spirit (2S) individuals and Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Atlantic Canada during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The respondents (n=149) shared health concerns including deterioration(s) of mental health (56.32%) and described mental health supports (68.42%), health supports for Two-Spirit individuals (57.89%), healing gatherings (46.05%) and trans-specific supports (44.74%) as critical interventions in fostering Two-Spirit health. The Alliance’s immediate response was to develop community-led responses to address urgent concerns. Our key promising practice has been hosting Two-Spirit gatherings as community-based health/cultural supports; the gatherings also serve as an opportunity for the Alliance to consult the Two-Spirit community about priorities and concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alliance explored ways to keep the Two-Spirit community safe while maintaining critical social support(s) and gaining invaluable knowledge from the Two-Spirit community. We designed a survey that provided critical feedback resulting in the Alliance shifting priorities towards developing ways to bring Two-Spirit people together safely by virtual means, seeking sustainable resources to address emerging health concerns, and increasing capacity development of the Alliance.