Happy Gregorian New Year!!

For the past 25 years, Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) has been creating sober gathering spaces and events for the Two-Spirit & IndigeQueer community in the Bay Area and beyond. Originally founded in 1999 by Two-Spirit community members organizing the International Two-Spirit Gathering in the Bay Area, BAAITS proudly continues to grow and expand to welcome Two-Spirits, IndigeQueer, and TG/GNC LGBQIA+ people as they/we learn and reconnect with their/our Indigenous roots.  Please join us throughout the year as we continue honoring and celebrating our story!

We wrapped up an exciting year with our December IndigeQueer Social Mixer and Potluck at the Oakland LGBTQ Center. Once again, we had a great community turnout!  Earlier in the month, we were also blessed with a wonderful crowd at the SF LGBTQ Center, where we were able to give our love to our first BAAITS cohort of TS & IndigeQueer Artist & Culture Bearer Mini-Grant recipients. Watch their presentations below!

Now, let's dive into our many exciting upcoming events, including an entire week of festivities leading up to our 13th Annual Two-Spirit Powwow!

BAAITS is Hiring for our Full-Time Program Manager Position
 

The Program Manager will work collaboratively with our Executive Director and community partners to plan and accomplish a range of programs for the Two-Spirit and IndigeQueer community, and their families and friends. Besides our volunteer-organized February Two-Spirit Powwow and presence at the San Francisco Pride Festival and Parade, our Program Manager will be resourced to plan and execute additional events throughout the year.
 

Upcoming Powwow Committee Meetings
 

Chosen Family: Two-Spirit Family and Community Building

A BAAITS Online Two-Spirit Talking Circle with Lenny Hayes

Monday, February 5 @ 5:00 pm PST

 

Join our next IndigeQueer online Talking Circle, as we roll into our Powwow Week of Events. Powwow Week is pretty special for our IndigeQueer community, and we're so happy our dear friend Lenny Hayes will join us again this year to help us circle up and get the week started. Join us as we discuss Chosen Family, and the impact our Two Spirit family-making has on our ongoing community building.

Two-Spirit Virtual Writers Panel 

Tuesday, February 6 @ 6:00 pm PST
 

Please join our host, BAAITS Board member Dr. Roger Kuhn, for this Two-Spirit Writers Panel, featuring several community writers discussing their latest work. Confirmed Participants include: Joshua Whitehead, author of Jonny Appleseed, a phenomenal piece of Two-Spirit centered fiction.

Two-Spirit SNAG Night, with host Mika 

Wednesday, February 7 @ 6:00 pm PST
 

Join our IndigeQueer friends for BAAITS Snag Night 2024! 

Water Ceremony at Baker Beach with BAAITS
and Uniting Resilience 

Thursday, February 8 @ 1:00-4:00 pm PST
 

Join us for this special Water Ceremony, led by the Two-Spirit IndigeQueer community. We are happy to welcome folks from out of town, including our co-hosts: Uniting Resilience founders Muffie Mousseaux and Felipa De Leon. We ask everyone to bring water from your homelands. This event is open to all. Registration not required, but visit the registration link below for more info, and register to receive any additional messages. Parking is limited; carpools recommended; or take public transportation to Baker Beach, San Francisco. Our ceremony is rain or shine; come prepared for rain/cold weather.

State of the Two-Spirit Movement Panel + Dinner :
Hosted by BAAITS, the American Indian Cultural District (AICD),
and the SF LGBT Center

Thursday, February 8 @ 6:00-8:00 pm PST; doors open @ 5:30

SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco - Rainbow Room

 

The Two-Spirit community is an integral part of the Indigenous Resurgence happening throughout Turtle Island. As we gather in community for the 13th Annual BAAITS Two-Spirit Powwow, leaders/visionaries from sibling organizations will be in town to share their insights and thoughts in this conversation-style panel about where we are as a movement. Please join us! Panelists include:

• Auntie Steven Barrios, Montana Two Spirit Society

• Muffie Mousseaux and Felipa De Leon, United Resilience

• Alma Rosa, South West Two Spirit Society

• Paulete Poitras, Two Spirits In Motion

• John R. Sillyboy, Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance

• Angel/Tlahuizpapalotl Fabian, BAAITS (Facilitator)

Brush Arbor Gurlz 20th Anniversary Show

Friday, February 9 @ 2:00-5:00 pm PST

SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco - Rainbow Room

Join us in celebrating community favorites "The Brush Arbor Gurlz" for a special 20th Anniversary Show! Presenting: Landa Lakes (non-paid), Kenya Pfister, Samantha Richards, Papi Churro, Miss Montana Navi Jo, Peach Gobbler, Buffalo Barbie, Sage Chanel, Spirit Wildcat, Thanks Jem, Lady Shug, Pastel Gothic, Mama Greasebox

Hand Drum Contest & Potluck hosted by BAAITS Drum

Friday, February 9 @ 6:00 pm PST | 
7:00 pm Livestream program begins
 

SF Friendship House, 56 Julian Ave, San Francisco

Join the fun as the BAAITS Drum hosts this good time for all! Welcome our out-of-town friends and circle up for the Hand Drum Contest. Please bring food to share with the community, and enjoy the good company as we prepare for our big Powwow on Saturday. Our emcee is the incomparable Landa Lakes!

 

Two-Spirits Rock! 
A BAAITS Brunch Featuring Live Indigequeer Performances

Sunday, February 11, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

In-Person @ GLBT Historical Society Museum
4127 18th Street, San Francisco

 

Please join our BAAITS family for a special brunch after the powwow, featuring live performances from Roger Kuhn, Marx Cassity, and Meta-Morgan! Free Entry; Food and Drink Provided!

Selections from the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits Records (#2019-81) are now housed at the GLBT Historical Society archives, and have been digitized and made publicly available!

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