Do you feel the excitement in the air? It’s the Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow season and we are getting ready to welcome Two Spirit and IndigeQueer kin, family, friends and accomplices from throughout North America and beyond!  We want to acknowledge and thank the 2024 BAAITS Powwow Committee (all volunteers) for their generosity in time and talent, and for envisioning and taking this year’s events and activities to another level!  

The 13th Annual BAAITS Two Spirit Powwow and Week of Events is made possible by the generous support of the Hewlett Foundation, the Horizons Foundation, the Wayfarer Foundation, the California Arts Council, the San Francisco Arts Commission, Grants For the Arts, the Ford Foundation, the Zellerbach Family Foundation, the SF Human Rights Commission, the Tides Foundation, the Native American Health Center, the Naraya Cultural Preservation Council and community members like you! 

We also want to thank and honor our fiscal sponsors that allow us to ensure resources are available in a timely manner: Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People, Inc. and the Queer Cultural Center.

We hope you'll join us for the week of events, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 10, for our Powwow!

 

BAAITS is Hiring for our Full-Time Program Manager Position
 

We are still accepting applications for our BAAITS Full-Time Program Manager. 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.

 

To apply please send a Cover Letter, Resume/CV, a Writing Sample, and Two (2) references to: admin@baaits.org

• Include in the title of the position you are applying for within the email subject line

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled

Final Powwow Committee Meeting
 

Chosen Family: Two-Spirit Family and Community Building

A BAAITS Online Two-Spirit Talking Circle with Lenny Hayes

Monday, February 5 @ 5:00-7:00 pm PST

 

Join our next IndigeQueer online Talking Circle as we roll into our Powwow Week. This time 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 @ 6:00-8:00 pm PST, Online Only
 

Please join our BAAITS Board member, Dr. Roger Kuhn, for this Two Spirit Writers Panel, featuring several community writers discussing their latest work. Confirmed participants, with performances to follow:

• Joshua Whitehead, author of Jonny Appleseed, a phenomenal piece of Two-Spirit centered fiction
• Jennifer Lisa Vest, Author & Poet
• Nazbah Tom, Author & Poet
• Marx Cassity, Songwriter
• Dr. Roger Kuhn (host), Author of Somacultural Liberation: An Indigenous, Two-Spirit Somatic Guide to Integrating Cultural Experiences Toward Freedom

Two-Spirit SNAG Night, with host Mija 

Wednesday, February 7 @ 6:00-8:00 pm PST, Online Only
 

Join our host Mija (they/two spirit) for a snagalicious time meeting & greeting all the pre-powwow babes. Get the jump on introductions with new & old friends featuring mild to wild prompts & opportunities for quality time with a cutie.

Consent & respect for all identities & pronouns is mandatory, bullying will not be allowed & nudity is not permitted. Must be 18+ to participate. This event is FREE and open to all IndigeQueer, Two-Spirit, and Indigenous LGBTQ participants and attendees of the BAAITS Two-Spirit Powwow who are 18+, and will follow culturally competent Native American guidelines with respect to all gender expressions. Our BAAITS programming is created by and for by Indigenous Two Spirit & IndigeQueer TG/GNC LGBQIA+ peoples, their friends and family. We ask everyone to be respectful of this focus.

See you there!

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, and an offering for the altar if you wish. 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, Uniting Resilience

• Alma Rosa, Southwest Two Spirit Society
• Trudie Jackson, Southwest Two Spirit Society

• Paulete Poitras, Two Spirits In Motion

• John R. Sylliboy, Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance

• Angel Tlahuizpapalotl Fabian, BAAITS (Facilitator)

Brush Arbor Gurlz 4th Annual IndigeQueer Drag Show

Friday, February 9 @ 2:00-5:00 pm PST

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

The Brush Arbor Gurlz celebrates 20 years of Indigenous Drag in San Francisco, with Two Spirit and Indigiqueer drag artists from across Turtle Island for our 4th Annual Drag Show!

Presenting: Landa Lakes, Buffalo Barbie, Cedar T, Hick Slut, Kenya Pfister, Lady Shug, Miss Montana Navi Jo, Nikko Nuchi, Papi Churro, Pastel Gothic, Peach Gobbler, Sage Chanel, Samantha Richards, Spirit Wildcat, Thanks Jem.

 

BAAITS Drum Presents...
Potluck, Hand Drum Contest & Prize Draw

Friday, February 9 @ 6:00-9:00 pm PST 
 

SF Friendship House, 56 Julian Ave, San Francisco
 

Bring your favorite foods to share in community for the BAAITS potluck and hand drum contest! Join the fun, as we welcome our out-of-town friends and 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 IndigeQueer music performances and a community brunch, following our annual Powwow. We welcome artists Roger Kuhn, Marx Cassity, Julian Talamantez Brolanski, and Meta-Morgan!

 

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