This year marked the 27 anniversary of the annual Montana Two-Spirit Society’s gathering, held this year at the Flathead Lake United Methodist Campsite.
From Aug.16-20, the society invited Indigenous Two-Spirit people and their partners and families to the retreat in hopes to reconnect with culture and traditions, meet new friends and allies and to heal.
With a little more than 130 guests registered and around 45 Two-Spirit youth present, this year marked the largest their gathering has ever been. From panels on transgender support and health, to presentations educating on the history behind the term ‘Two-Spirit,’ the weekend allowed for laughter, making new connections and encouraging growth.
Credit: Audience members of the talent/pageant show audience fan themselves to keep cool in the August evening heat on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: One talent show participant, Dakota Running Crane, covers "At Last" by Etta James on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Indigenous drag performer, Landa Lakes, holds a mic out to audience member, Theda New Breast, during the talent show on the second night of the gathering on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Former Mr. Montana Two-Spirit, Sergio Papa Ruark, begins to perform a traditional Andean Peruvian-style dance during the talent show on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The 27th Montana Two-Spirit Gathering's talent/pageant show participants pose together for photos after the event ended on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: An Oglala Sioux tribal flag hung in representation on one of the cabins at the Flathead Lake United Methodist campgrounds on Aug. 17, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The Montana Two-Spirit Society's flags hang on display on the front of the camps dinning hall, Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Members of the society, youth and other gatherers participate in a few rounds of hand game on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Miko Thomas, A.K.A Landa Lakes, sits and poses with their husband outside the dinning hall on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The crowd of dancers surround the staff and flags during grand entry of the Two-Spirit powwow on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Participants watch announcers during the Two-Spirit powwow on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The last two dancing couples during the Potato Dance at the Two-Spirit Powwow on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The former Mr. and Miss Montana Two-Spirit watch as the 2023 title holders receive their crown and sashes at the ending of the Two-Spirit powwow on Aug. 18, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: Board and staff members of the Montana Two-Spirit Society are honored during the give away portion of the weekend, Aug. 19, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
Credit: The scene during the give away, one of the last events for the Two-Spirit gathering, Aug. 19, 2023. (JoVonne Wagner, ICT)
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