Two-Spirit History in Florida 🌞
Two-Spirit Identities in the Timucua
While we don’t have any documentation of the Timucuan words for these roles today, we know from the reports of French colonizers that “female-bodied “ Two-Spirit Timucuans played central roles in not just Timucuan governance structure, but emissary traditions.
During the French invasion of Florida in 1564, the Timucua people came into contact with the colonizer René Goulaine de Laudonnière. He described Two-Spirit people, whom he refers to as “hermaphrodites” , as healers who were some of the first Natives who came to met colonizer party. “We met an Indian woman of tall stature, which also was an Hermaphrodite, who came before us with a great vessell full of cleere fountaine water, wherwith she greatly refreshed us.... And I beleeve that without the succour of that Indian Hermaphrodite... we had taken up our lodging all night in the wood.”(de Laudonnière)
He then accounted that a person of the same non-binary gender identity served as the emissary for the “king” of the Timucuan community he encountered.
The social roles French colonizers attributed to Timucuan “hermaphrodites” were positions “conducting burial rites, caring for the ill, assisting on war parties, serving as intermediaries”(Roscoe, 2016).
Though we are torn from their own stories in their own language, we know these Two-Spirit people served as the vanguards of their villages even in the face of French colonizers. While the Indigenous Knowledge encompassing Timucuan Two-Spirit identities has been forcefully hidden due to the violences of colonization, we know that these people were respected in and central to their communities.
Image: “Employments of the Hermaphrodites,” engraving based on a watercolor by Jacques Le Moyne depicting Timucuan two spirits, published by Theodore De Bry, 1591. Source: Charles Bourel de La Roncière, ed., La Floride Française: Scènes de la Vie Indienne Peintes en 1564 (Paris: Les Éditions Nationales, 1928), plate 17.
Reference: SEXUAL AND GENDER
DIVERSITY IN NATIVE AMERICA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS: Will Roscoe, 2016
Next Tuesday 5/12 our Seminole Hollywood community will host a walk of prayer for justice, unity, and remembrance.
Our intention is to honor those loved ones affected by this crisis and to stand in solidarity with all the relatives, protectors, and warriors who fight for safety and justice across all of our communities
Repost from @indigenousintentions :
We have partnered with our tribal departments on Hollywood Rez, @durantebb3 and @healinghokte for an MMIR PRAYER WALK. MMIW Week of Action is a sacred call to honor our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit relatives. We uplift their names, their stories, and their spirits-not just in grief, but in power.
Join us as we walk, speak, and organize for justice.
They are sacred.
They are loved.
And they deserve to come home.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH
Please join us for an open discussion with violence prevention & safety education experts - discussion topics will include: online safety, dating violence prevention, youth education, community resources, and more!
As well, all knowledge and resources shared will be documented and saved for community access anytime— please reach out with any questions or interest in resources ⭐️
WEDNESDAY, JAN 14 @ 3PM
LOCATION: TERRACE BALLROOM AT
SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
🌟This Friday 12/12 and Saturday 12/13! 🌟
Join us as Anti-Human Trafficking experts share knowledge on how to reclaim your personal safety and act as a warrior for your community!
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Q & A Opportunity
Snacks & Refreshments
Raffles and Participation Gifts
HOLLYWOOD
12/12 Friday 1-3PM
Native Learning Center,
Taft St
BIG CYPRESS
12/13 Saturday 1-3PM
Senior Center,
Josie Billie Hwy
((1st pic for algorithm))
Save the date🗓️
WARRIOR WORKSHOP: RECLAIM YOUR SAFETY!
Join us as Anti-Human Trafficking experts share knowledge on how to reclaim your personal safety and act as a warrior for your community!
Workshop sessions offered:
Hollywood Reservation
Friday, 12/12 1 to 3PM
Big Cypress Reservation
Saturday 12/13 1 to 3 pm
OPEN TO ALL TRIBAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
ALL AGES WELCOME
@healinghokte@kristihousecac
✨❤️🔥🐊❤️🔥✨
So grateful to be alive and share this moment with all my relatives across these lands and seas! From resistance to revival to rest and healing — our people will always find a way to continue what is sacred 🤍
🌌🔥🌀Joy and Liberation for all of us! 🌀🔥🌌
