You are invited to the “Indigenous Reproductive and Sexual Health, Rights and JUSTICE” Gathering! FREE EVENT - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

This will be a day to celebrate the amazing work that is being done for and by Indigenous people towards reproductive and sexual health, rights and justice! Speakers will include a wide range of Indigenous people working in the area of sexual/reproductive health, rights and justice globally as well as interactive sessions, performances and arts based activities. There will be food, performances, art and opportunities to network with each other. [download pdf flyer]

Where: Church Center for the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, New York City, near 1st avenue and 44th street. (open to the general public)

When: Saturday, May 21 10am-4pm

Who: Anyone working in reproductive and sexual health, Indigenous peoples (Two-Spirit, Trans, gender non-conforming inclusive) organizations working within these issues, people attending the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues. Everyone welcome!

Please register with Krysta Williams [kwilliams@nativeyouthsexualhealth.com] with the following information (or download and use the Word registration form):

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Nā ʻŌiwi NYC and AICH present

KE KŪLANA HE MĀHŪ:
REMEMBERING A SENSE OF PLACE

Reception and Screening with Producer Connie Florez

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 6:00PM - 9:00PM

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway, 2nd Flr, New York, NY 10004
212.598.0100

Free with a Suggested donation: $5

Talk story and meet Connie Florez, producer and historian of “Ke Kūlana He Māhū: Remembering a Sense of Place,” at a welcome reception serving light refreshments and screening of the film. This documentary explores how colonialism and cultural imperialism has profoundly effected attitudes toward gender and sexuality for indigenous Hawaiians, and marginalized Hawai’i’s multifaceted gay and transgendered communites. Following the screening, there will be a selection from Florez’s current documentary project “The Glades Project,” including a Q&A panel discussion with the producer and members of the Native American Indian Communities in NYC.

Connie Florez is the CEO of Hula Girl Productions, and the Director of Film Programming for the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, and a current board member and former Executive Director for the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation.

Co-sponsored by: Nā ʻŌiwi NYC and American Indian Community House

[download the pdf flyer]

March 5, 2011
Tipi: Heritage of the Great Plains

Music
5–7 p.m. Martha Redbone performs a combination of R & B, soul, rock, and traditional Native American music.

8–10 p.m. Dee Jay Frame of the Redhawk Arts Council spins tracks fusing hip-hop with traditional Native American melodies and beats.

9–10 p.m. The Redhawk Dancers hosts an interactive dance performance inspired by traditional Northern and Southern Plains Dances.

For a listing of all the days programs and times visit brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php

Start getting ready for the annual Tulsa Two Spirits Gatherings set to take place in Osage Hills State Park in Oklahoma, April 15-18, 2001. You can find all the information on their gathering website.

The weekend of October 15th-18th saw a dream come true for the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society (NE2SS), the first ever NorthEast Two-Spirit Gathering. Members of the two spirit community from all over the nation attended. Spanning generations, and representing 15 different States from California to New York, and 1 Canadian province, over fifty, two-spirited people came to support this historic event and NE2SS.

Last April, 2010, NE2SS sponsored six of their members to attend a gathering in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was during this event that Harlan Pruden, co-founder of the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, asked the sponsored member’s one simple question: “Do you think New York could do a Two-Spirit gathering?” The answer was a resounding “YES!”

Once the NE2SS members returned home to New York, they went straight to work, securing funding, finding a location in scenic Long Island, and promoted the event to national two-spirit leadership across the nation. The gathering happened with support and funding from the Stonewall Foundation’s Racial Equity Intuitive, a New York Senate Grant, and many contributions from our friends, family and allies who answered our First Giving campaign. Special thanks to Lindy Linder for her continued support of our work and standing with our community. Additionally, this gathering would not have been possible without the support and backing of Audre Lorde Project. Finally, a huge thank you to Camp deWolfe’s Executive Director who worked with us so the Gathering has a home! In six short months, the First Annual NorthEast Two Spirit Society Gathering, was ready to welcome its first guests.

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Register online now by simply downloading the NE2SS 2010 Two-Spirit Gathering Registration Form, filling out the required fields, and emailing it to gathering@ne2ss.org.

Native American Club @ NYU, The Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, New York University, American Indian Law Alliance, The SilverCloud Singers, in conjunction with The Unkechaug Nation

INVITE YOU TO A COMMUNITY SOCIAL

Surviving three Generations of Removal, the American Indian Community of New York City

Sunday April 25th 2010

2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Come and Enjoy a day of Food,

Socializing, Singing and Dancing, Games,

50/50 Raffle and DOOR PRIZES

New York University

60 Washington Square

Kimmel Center, Room 914

New York, NY, 10012

6 train to Astor Place or R Train to 8th Street or A,C,D,E,F train to West 4th street. For More Info: Please call (201)876-8463 or email kevin@silvercloudsingers.com or mborst1@msn.com

NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, Somjen Frazer, a Researcher and Evaluation Consultant, local NY Native and Non-Native community based organizations, and the New York State Department of Health are working on the first-ever New York State Needs Assessment for the Native Two-Spirit community.

Currently, we are organizing a series of focus groups throughout New York State. At these focus groups, participants will be asked to share their stories, experiences and input on what they hope for our community.

[download flyer]

Here is a list of the locations, dates and time for upcoming focus groups:
Buffalo, NY
Friday, February 12, 2010
5:30pm to 8:30pm

Location:
Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc. (NACS)
1005 Grant Street
Buffalo, New York  14207

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House, Pride Center of Western NY & Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc.

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Rochester, NY
Saturday, February 13, 2010
2:30pm to 6:30pm

Location:
Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley
875 East Main Street, Suite #500
Rochester, NY  14605

Partnering organizations – Rochester Two-Spirit Society & Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Syracuse, NY
Saturday, February 27, 2010
3:00pm to 7:00pm

Location:
American Indian Community House – Syracuse site
120 E Washington St., Suite #400
Syracuse, NY 13202

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

New York City, NY
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
5:30pm to 8:30pm

Location:
American Indian Community House
11 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Long Island, NY
Saturday, March 13, 2010
3:00pm to 7:00pm

Location:
The Long Island GLBT Community Center
34 Park Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706

Partnering organizations – The Long Island GLBT Community Center

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Plimoth Plantation Explores 17th Century Colonial and Native GLBT History

Plimoth Plantation, located in Plymouth Mass, held its second annual, “Out At Plimoth Plantation,” an all-day, inclusive, LGBT event on Saturday, September 26, 2009 featuring family activities, unique, historical lectures including, Native/two-spirit perspectives from Harlan Pruden of the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society; a Colonial look at what Plimoth Plantation knows about gay tolerance during the 17th century and an exploration of a woman’s same sex perspective during the 18th century, presented by Dr. Jennifer Manion, History Professor at Connecticut College. In addition, the day highlighted a “Family Resource, Wedding and Event Expo” presented by Plimoth Plantation’s exclusive caterer, Creative Gourmet and sponsored by Verona Salon of Plymouth, MA. The day finished with a taste of history at the museum with a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet and Social Mixer, a perfect place for guests to discuss the day’s events, and where people connect with new friends.

“History is everybody’s story…Plimoth Plantation’s mission is to provide powerful, personal experiences with that history as we know it,” said, Richard Pickering, Deputy Executive Director. “We are successful when we are able to bring the past alive for our guests by presenting relevant, true historical accounts that they can identify with, giving them a new perspective and a real connection to the past. We are confident members of the GLBT community will enjoy seeing and hearing that they too have a valid place in early American history.”

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At a recent NE2Ss meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon that NE2SS should be an Outreach Partner for the Two Spirits: Sexuality, Gender, and the Murder of Fred Martinez Film.

The Fred Martinez Project and the documentary film Two Spirits received the 2008 Monette-Horwitz Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding activism, research, and scholarship to combat homophobia.

The U.S. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in Washington has joined the Fred Martinez Project as an outreach partner. The department will host screenings of Two Spirits around the country as a part of their ongoing national diversity programs.

For more information please visit www.twospirits.org.