2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council

The 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council is an advisory body that supports the collective work of Ontario First Nations and the Chiefs of Ontario.

Purpose

The 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council is a permanent entity included in the Charter of the Chiefs of Ontario. The Council seeks to restore balance within our communities and leadership by undertaking work rooted in re-learning, practicing, living, and embodying our traditional ways of being, seeing, knowing, and relating, to ultimately foster a sense of belonging and cultural continuity for all our relations. The Council works to restore this balance by supporting the unlearning of colonial identities and roles; challenging colonial structures; and advancing inclusive, culturally grounded governance.

The Council provides Two Spirit-, Two Heart-, and LGBTQQIAPD+-perspectives to guide regional decision-making on issues affecting First Nations in Ontario. The Council advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for kin across all spiritual identities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, and relationship structures.

The Council provides guidance to inform the decision-making processes of the Chiefs of Ontario and Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly through a Two Spirit-, Two Heart-, LGBTQQIAPD+-lens. The Council will undertake and/or advocate for supports, initiatives, engagements, activities, processes, research, and strategic policies which advance the rights, inclusion, and belonging of our Two Spirit, Two Heart, and LGBTQQIAPD+ relatives. The Council will also maintain dialogue and consultation with 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+

kin across Ontario to ensure that community-identified priorities are consistently reflected in the Council’s priorities and work and assuring that the Council remains accountable to 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ kin.

The Council may participate within all structures of the Chiefs of Ontario and may from time to time undertake specific initiatives as directed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly or the Leadership Council via Resolutions or Mandates, respectively. The Council will report on their activities at least once annually to the Chiefs-in-Assembly.

The Council is accountable to the Two Spirit, Two Heart, and LGBTQQIAPD+ communities they serve across Ontario and to First Nations elected leadership.

As a Charter Council of the Chiefs of Ontario, the Council will provide annual reports, updates, guidance, and recommendations to the Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly. When directed by Resolution or Mandate, the Council may also report through the Leadership Council to the Chiefs-in-Assembly. Members of the Council may designate a member to act as spokesperson on behalf of the Council’s issues, priorities, and perspectives and to make presentations at Chiefs Assemblies.

In addition to formal reporting structures within Chiefs of Ontario, members of the Council hold relational and cultural accountability to their fellow members and are accountable to the broader Two Spirit, Two Heart, and LGBTQQIAPD+ communities the Council serves in the interest of First Nations communities across Ontario. This accountability entails striving to undertake fulsome consultation with 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ kin and keeping 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ kin apprised of the Council’s work and any relevant developments. This includes a commitment to uphold the values of inclusivity, transparency, and responsiveness to community-identified needs.

The Council is not limited to just Two Spirit, Two Heart, LGBTQQIAPD+ matters. The Council stands in allyship and will strive to speak out for those who may not be able to find their voice or do not have the means to speak up against phobic, hateful, unjust, or unfair acts.

As a Charter Council established by unanimous Resolution, the Chiefs of Ontario and Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly are also accountable to the Council and must in good faith implement the Council’s guidance and recommendations where it is feasible and reasonable to do so.

NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun (Lyndon George) – Anishinabek Nation
Heidi Whetung – Anishinabek Nation
Mallory (Mal) Solomon – Co-Chair, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Kit Thomas – Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Abraham Francis – Co-Chair, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Nibi (Skylar) Louttit – Mushkegowuk Council

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