Leading an Extraordinary Life: Wise Practices for an HIV ... - 2 Spirits
Leading an Extraordinary Life: Wise Practices for an HIV ... - 2 Spirits
Leading an Extraordinary Life: Wise Practices for an HIV ... - 2 Spirits
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the historical traditions <strong>an</strong>d lives of Two-Spirit men <strong>an</strong>d help create a new <strong>an</strong>d positive<br />
environment <strong>for</strong> re-inclusion in their societies.<br />
The social marketing literature recommends innovation in the variety of methods<br />
used to educate <strong>an</strong>d encourage social ch<strong>an</strong>ge. This method is designed so that it will also<br />
be the subject of local newspapers wherever the show travels. The show will thus have a<br />
multiplier effect as its contents will be the subject of local media <strong>an</strong>d in<strong>for</strong>mal<br />
discussions. Art, <strong>an</strong>d especially portraiture art, is a fundamental part of the global strategy<br />
to increase awareness of the pain <strong>an</strong>d suffering caused by <strong>HIV</strong>/AIDS stigma as well as to<br />
honour those engaged on the front line. No exhibit of this kind has been attempted with<br />
Aboriginal <strong>an</strong>d rural communities in C<strong>an</strong>ada. It is time to take this action.<br />
Anecdotally, some Aboriginal communities are receptive to the concept of a<br />
traveling Two-Spirit men’s portraiture art exhibit. The consult<strong>an</strong>t spoke with various<br />
Aboriginal community representatives during the International AIDS Conference (2006)<br />
in Toronto <strong>an</strong>d found them very interested in the concept <strong>an</strong>d willing to host the exhibit<br />
in their region.<br />
8.3 A Two-Spirit Statue<br />
Around the world, various countries now boast about the creation of a gay<br />
monument. Recently, Toronto erected the largest, life size monument of a gay non-<br />
Native pioneer. A cursory review of the world-wide-web reveals that the erection<br />
obtained extensive international press.<br />
The purposes of monuments are multiple. One purpose is to commemorate <strong>an</strong>d<br />
educate citizens about <strong>an</strong> import<strong>an</strong>t aspect of one’s society. In effect, monuments serve<br />
to physically rein<strong>for</strong>ce the signific<strong>an</strong>ce of a person or persons’ contributions to our<br />
society <strong>an</strong>d affirm their signific<strong>an</strong>ce.<br />
It is recommended that <strong>an</strong> Aboriginal ASO seek funds to erect a statue of a Two-<br />
Spirit person that concretely represents the oldest alternative gender <strong>an</strong>d sexual traditions<br />
in North America. The historical section of this report identifies multiple Two-Spirit<br />
individuals that could be the subject of the statue.<br />
The erection of a Two-Spirit statue will not only educate citizens about the<br />
relatively unknown historical presence <strong>an</strong>d traditions of Two-<strong>Spirits</strong>, it will serve<br />
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