This document summarizes a webinar hosted by the Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center. It included a panel of parents of Indigenous Two-Spirit youth who shared their experiences supporting their children. They discussed struggles and successes navigating their families and communities. They provided recommendations for improving support systems. The panelists were Lucy Smartlowit-Briggs of the Yakama Nation, Robin Steininger who is the mother of Nathen Steininger, and Tammy Valdez of the Sicangu Lakota. The facilitator was Harlan Pruden of the Cree Nation. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback to help inform future webinars on topics impacting Indigenous Two-Spirit individuals and their families.
5. Meet the Facilitator:
Harlan Pruden
• First Nations Cree
• Ph.D. student, University of
British Columbia
• Managing Editor,Two-Spirit
Journal
• Co-founder and former
director, NorthEast Two-
Spirit Society
• Two-Spirit consultant
• Advisor, Presidential
Advisory Council on
HIV/AIDs
6. Overview
• Today you will hear from parents of Indigenous Two-
Spirit, gender non-conforming, and LGBTQQ youth
• Parents will share about personal experiences in
their efforts to support their Two-Spirit children:
– Struggles, challenges, successes, and triumphs with
families, communities, and tribes
– Insight and recommendations for how tribal communities,
families, allies, and regional and national systems can
improve and increase support for Two-Spirit citizens
11. The Paths We Have Walked
• Share about yourself and your amazing child(ren).
• What is your biggest accomplishment or success
as a parent?
• What is/are your biggest challenge(s) as a parent?
– How have you handled these challenges?
• Share about any experiences and interaction
with your community and family.
12. Soaring with the Eagles
• In your journey with your child who is Two-
Spirit, gender non-conforming, or LGBTQQ,
what are some supports and resources that
have assisted you and your family?
– You might consider support in the realms of
spiritual, family, community, health, education,
advocacy, and service.
• Do you have suggestions for improvement to
these supports and resources?
13. Sharing Our Strength
What would you like to share with those
listening today?
– Parents of Two-Spirit children looking for
inspiration and affirmation
– Mental and behavioral health service providers
– Tribal nations and tribal community members
– Allies of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQQ populations
– Policy makers: tribal, state, and federal
15. Thank You for Joining Us for
Two-Spirit Tuesdays!
• Would you like to highlight any Two-Spirit efforts or
successes occurring in your community or tribe?
– If so, please see Harlan’s contact information on the
next slide.
• Part 2: June 21, 2016, 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern
• Part 3: July 19, 2016, 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern
– Topics to be announced soon!
16. Guest Panelists:
Lucy Smartlowit-Briggs, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Robin Steininger, mother of Nathen Steininger
Tammy Valdez, Sicangu Lakota
Facilitator:
Harlan Pruden, First Nations Cree, Managing Editor, Two-Spirit Journal
hpruden@gmail.com
Two-Spirit Tuesdays!
Panel: Parents of Indigenous
Two-Spirit Youth
Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center
Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac
Email: TA-Request@tribaltechllc.com
We will be sending out a brief participant
feedback questionnaire shortly after the
webinar. We greatly appreciate any input you
are willing to provide. Thank you for attending
today!