Two-Spirit Pride Flag: Meaning & Indigenous Roots
The short version
- Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous people in North America to describe an identity that integrates gender, sexuality, and spiritual or cultural role.
- The term was proposed by Elder Dr. Myra Laramee at the 1990 Third Annual Inter-Tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It draws on the Anishinaabemowin phrase niizh manidoowag (two spirits).
- Two-Spirit identity pre-dates colonization. Many Indigenous nations had specific roles, names, and traditions for what colonizers later called LGBTQ+ identity.
- Two-Spirit is a self-identifier for Indigenous people only. Non-Indigenous people should not adopt the term for themselves.
- The official Two-Spirit pride flag was designed by Anishinaabe artist Patrick Hunter and unveiled in 2024 at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, marking 35 years since the term was created. It features two eagle feathers framed by a sun and a rainbow of dots. An older community-stewarded design with two feathers on the 6-stripe rainbow has also circulated since the 1990s.
- The "2S" in 2SLGBTQI+ stands for Two-Spirit, and in Canada it's deliberately placed first to recognize Two-Spirit identity as predating and standing apart from the rest of the acronym.
We're Delwin and Jimmy, co-founders of Proud Zebra, a queer-owned Canadian small business designing pride pins and accessories from the Lower Mainland, BC. We're not Indigenous, and Two-Spirit is an Indigenous identity. This post is here as a respectful explainer, written with sources cited and Indigenous voices centered.
If you're Two-Spirit and looking for merchandise: we'll point you toward Indigenous-owned makers later in the post. If you're an ally or community member trying to understand the term and the flag, this is an introduction. It's part of our complete guide to LGBTQ+ pride flags.
What does Two-Spirit mean?
Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous people in North America to describe an identity that integrates gender, sexuality, and spiritual or cultural role. It's a self-identifier specific to Indigenous communities and is not interchangeable with Western LGBTQ+ identities like gay, bisexual, or non-binary.
The exact meaning of Two-Spirit varies by nation, language, and tradition. Different Indigenous nations have their own words and concepts that long pre-date the English term. Egale Canada, the country's leading 2SLGBTQI+ rights organization, describes Two-Spirit as covering "diversity of gender, sexuality, and spirituality" within Indigenous worldviews. The "S" sometimes appears at the start of the acronym 2SLGBTQI+ specifically to recognize that Two-Spirit identity exists alongside, and predates, the rest.
What Two-Spirit is not:
- Not a synonym for non-binary, transgender, gay, or any other specific Western identity
- Not a gender label in the Western sense
- Not a term that non-Indigenous people should claim for themselves, even if their identity feels similar
- Not interchangeable across all Indigenous nations, each nation may have its own distinct terminology and traditions
Where did the term Two-Spirit come from?
The English term "Two-Spirit" was proposed by Elder Dr. Myra Laramee at the 3rd Annual Inter-Tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference held in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1990. The gathering brought together Indigenous LGBTQ+ leaders from across Turtle Island (North America) who wanted a self-determined English term to replace colonial-era language imposed by anthropologists.
The phrase draws from niizh manidoowag, an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) term meaning "two spirits." Elder Dr. Myra Laramee carried the term into that gathering, and the conference attendees collectively adopted it. Albert McLeod (Cree/Métis) is often credited alongside Laramee for the broader organizing work and the term's spread across Turtle Island in the decades since.
Before 1990, anthropologists and colonial sources used the French slur "berdache" to describe Indigenous people whose gender or sexuality didn't fit colonial categories. That word is harmful and should not be used. "Two-Spirit" was created specifically to replace it.
It's also important to note: long before 1990, and long before colonization, many Indigenous nations had their own specific words and roles for what is now sometimes called Two-Spirit identity. The English term is recent. The traditions it points to are ancient.
What does the Two-Spirit pride flag look like?
There are two flags worth knowing about. The official Two-Spirit pride flag was designed by Anishinaabe artist Patrick Hunter and unveiled in 2024 at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, marking 35 years since Elder Dr. Myra Laramee proposed the term. Hunter's design features two eagle feathers, representing the balance of masculine and feminine spirits, framed by a sun and a rainbow of dots. Hunter described the sun as the source that "provides us with everything else that we need in this life," and the dots and circles as a throwback to ancient pictographs.
An older, unattributed community design also circulates: two feathers (one masculine, one feminine) forming a circle over the 6-stripe rainbow flag. It pre-dates the 2024 Hunter design and has been used by Two-Spirit communities online since the 1990s. The two feathers represent the two spirits of the identity, the circle represents the unity of those spirits within one person, and the rainbow background ties the flag to the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Several other community variations exist within specific Indigenous nations. If you're looking for the version specific to a nation, the most reliable source is usually a Two-Spirit organization tied to that community directly, not a generic LGBTQ+ vendor.
Is Two-Spirit the same as non-binary or LGBTQ+?
No. Two-Spirit overlaps with the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella but isn't a subset of it. Many Two-Spirit people use additional identity labels (gay, lesbian, bi, non-binary, trans) alongside Two-Spirit. Many don't. Both are valid.
The key difference is that Two-Spirit is rooted in Indigenous spiritual, cultural, and ceremonial frameworks, rather than only gender or attraction. A Two-Spirit person may hold a specific role within their nation's traditions, ceremonies, or community structures. That role is part of what the term names. A non-binary identity in a Western framework typically doesn't carry that ceremonial-role dimension.
This is why the "S" in 2SLGBTQI+ comes first in many Canadian usages. It's a reminder that Two-Spirit identity predates the rest of the acronym and stands on its own foundation.
Where can I find Two-Spirit merchandise and resources?
The flag itself overlays Indigenous symbols on the 6-stripe rainbow that Gilbert Baker introduced in 1978, see our rainbow pride flag guide for the foundational flag's history.
An honest note: we don't currently carry Two-Spirit pride merchandise in stock. We've previously sold a Two-Spirit feather dancers lapel pin and our customers loved it, but we've also been deliberate about not flooding our catalogue with Two-Spirit products as a non-Indigenous brand. Two-Spirit merchandise is best made and sold by Indigenous makers, and we'd rather direct you to them.
If you're looking for merchandise from Indigenous-owned makers, search Etsy for "Two-Spirit Indigenous-owned" and filter by maker location, or check vendor directories at Indigenous-led pride events. Pride festivals across Canada (including Vancouver Pride, Egale Canada-partnered events, and 2 Spirits in Motion gatherings) typically maintain Indigenous vendor lists.
For organizations and resources:
- Egale Canada, Canada's leading 2SLGBTQI+ rights organization with extensive Two-Spirit programming and resources
- Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS), long-running Two-Spirit community organization based in San Francisco, with resources, events, and an annual Two-Spirit Powwow
- Native Youth Sexual Health Network, Indigenous-led organization focused on sexual health, rights, and Two-Spirit youth
"I absolutely love these pins! I am so happy they are back, and they go to a good cause!!! Everyone that I shared a pin with loved them to bits too."
Allan, on our previous Two-Spirit feather dancers lapel pin
That review captures part of why we're careful about Two-Spirit merchandise. People want representation. The right way to provide it is to support Indigenous makers and organizations, not to over-extend as a non-Indigenous brand.
Frequently asked questions
What does Two-Spirit mean?
Two-Spirit is a self-identifier used by some Indigenous people in North America to describe an identity that integrates gender, sexuality, and spiritual or cultural role. It's specific to Indigenous communities and is not a Western LGBTQ+ category. The term was adopted at a 1990 gathering of Indigenous LGBTQ+ leaders in Winnipeg, Manitoba, drawing on the Anishinaabemowin phrase niizh manidoowag.
Can non-Indigenous people identify as Two-Spirit?
No. Two-Spirit is a self-identifier for Indigenous people only. It's rooted in Indigenous spiritual, cultural, and ceremonial frameworks that non-Indigenous people don't share. If a non-Indigenous person feels their identity overlaps with what Two-Spirit names, the appropriate path is to use the language of their own culture (such as non-binary, queer, gay, lesbian, etc.) rather than borrowing Two-Spirit.
Who designed the Two-Spirit pride flag?
The official Two-Spirit pride flag was designed by Anishinaabe artist Patrick Hunter and unveiled in 2024 at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, marking 35 years since the English term "Two-Spirit" was proposed by Elder Dr. Myra Laramee in 1990. Hunter's design features two eagle feathers framed by a sun and a rainbow of dots. An older, unattributed community design with two feathers on the 6-stripe rainbow has also been in circulation since the 1990s. Several community variations exist across Indigenous nations.
Is Two-Spirit a sexual orientation, a gender identity, or both?
Both, and more. Two-Spirit integrates gender, sexuality, and spiritual or cultural role into one identity. Many Two-Spirit people also use additional labels alongside Two-Spirit (gay, lesbian, bi, non-binary, trans). The key distinction is that Two-Spirit is rooted in Indigenous frameworks that pre-date and exist outside Western LGBTQ+ categories.
What is the "2S" in 2SLGBTQI+?
The "2S" stands for Two-Spirit. In Canada, the "2S" often comes first in the acronym to recognize that Two-Spirit identity predates the rest of the LGBTQ+ acronym and stands on its own foundation as an Indigenous identity. Putting it first is a deliberate act of acknowledgement, not an arbitrary alphabetization.
For related identity context, see our guides to non-binary identity and trans identity, which some Two-Spirit folks use alongside (but not as substitutes for) Two-Spirit.
For broader pride accessory options, browse the full pride pins collection. Two-Spirit-specific merchandise is best sourced from Indigenous makers, but we do carry one Two-Spirit awareness pin (below) where the proceeds help fund Indigenous-led 2SLGBTQI+ work through UNYA.
Our Two Spirit Feather Dancers Lapel Pin, a 1.25-inch hard enamel awareness pin. Proceeds support Indigenous youth through UNYA.
Carrying the flag forward
Two-Spirit identity carries a long history that colonization tried to erase and that Indigenous communities have actively reclaimed since 1990. As a queer-owned Canadian small business, we think the right way to support that reclamation is to point readers toward Indigenous voices, organizations, and makers, not to assume we should be the ones telling the story.
If you're Two-Spirit, the elders, organizations, and community sources linked above carry this work directly. If you're an ally, supporting Indigenous-led organizations and Indigenous-owned brands does more than supporting a non-Indigenous explainer post like this one.
We've donated $10,219.58 CAD (lifetime, as of 2026-05-13) to LGBTQ+ organizations, including Rainbow Refugee, LGBTQ+ charities, Covenant House Vancouver, UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), and a range of pride societies across British Columbia. UNYA in particular supports Indigenous youth (Two-Spirit and otherwise), and we'd like to keep growing our support of Indigenous-led 2SLGBTQI+ work.
Written by Delwin Tan, Co-Founder of Proud Zebra
Published 2026-05-06. Last updated 2026-05-18.
Delwin co-founded Proud Zebra with his partner Jimmy Cheang in late 2020. We're a queer-owned Canadian small business, designing pride pins, patches, stickers, and accessories from the Lower Mainland, BC. We're not Indigenous, and we wrote this post with that in mind. We've donated $10,219.58 CAD to LGBTQ+ organizations to date (as of 2026-05-13).
