Honouring the Integral Role of 2-Spirit Elders
2-Spirit Elders
Across Canada
At Indigiqueers, we collaborate with Elders in each city to enhance our community engagement and consultation processes. The Elders we work with bring invaluable insight and support to our mission. They guide us in respecting and integrating cultural values into our organizational practices. Their extensive networks and respected roles help us build strong community connections, enriching our work.
In their advisory roles, Elders assist in shaping strategic decisions to ensure they align with community values and needs. As we conduct community consultations across various cities, their wisdom ensures that our programming remains culturally sensitive and relevant. Through their guidance, we uphold the integrity and effectiveness of our initiatives.
Elder Blu Waters
Laureen (Blu) Waters (they/them): Istchii Nikamoon: Earth Song, Wolf clan. They are Cree/Metis with family from George Gordon Reserve. Blu is a member of the Metis Nation of Ontario.
Blu grew up with their grandmother and learned about traditional medicines, learning healing methods, and care for the sick. Their grandmother also shared her knowledge of the great teachings.
Blu is currently working at Seneca College as an Elder on campus and Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator providing traditional teachings and one-to-one counseling.
Blu spent 2.5 years working for the National Inquiry for Murdered and Missing Women as a Grandmother to Commissioner Brian Eyelfson and sits on the Grandmother Circle.
As an active Community Elder in Toronto, they carry a Community Pipe and have Sun danced for the People. They sit on the Thunder Women Healing Lodge Society’s Board of Directors. They also provided ceremony, teaching, and counseling for 2 Spirit People of the First Nations.
Blu is also a member of the Elders Council for 2 Spirits In Motion, a national 2 Spirit organization. Blu is a 2 Spirit person, a wife, a mother of 5, and a grandparent of 3.
Elder leZlie lee kam
Elder leZlie lee kam is a Co-Chair of the Pride Toronto Board and has been an integral part of our team. leZlie attended our Berry Feast in Toronto in 2024 and has been a crucial advisor and supporter during our engagements in Vancouver as well. As a 2SLGBTQI+ community educator/awareness consultant and workshop facilitator, leZlie focuses on issues affecting RAINBOW (2SLGBTQI+) Seniors.
leZlie identifies as a brown, Trini, Carib/Indigenous, Indo, Chinese, Callaloo, Jurassic DYKE, differently-abled community activist and Elder. leZlie brings a profound spirit of care, safety, solidarity, and camaraderie to our project. Her presence and allyship to Indigiqueers ensure that issues of accessibility and inclusion are at the forefront of our efforts.
Elder Diane Labelle
Elder Diane Labelle is a Two-Spirit of Mohawk descent with over 40 years of experience in the LGBTQ/Two-Spirit rights movement, providing education, training, and advocacy on issues of Two-Spirit identity, gender, decolonization, and Indigenous pedagogy. Diane holds the position of Regional Educational Advisor in Adult Education for the First Nations Adult Education School Council and served on the Board of Directors at 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS). In January 2023, Diane played a key role in the creation of the first regional Two-Spirit group in Quebec, Cercle Indigiqueer Circle, an organization that brought together Indigiqueers in Montreal to host a Day of Healing with local Two-Spirit people.
Diane works collaboratively with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and organizations on decolonization efforts, particularly in the field of education, by presenting a more comprehensive history of Canada. Diane has also contributed to the Day of Healing by giving talks and presenting films as part of shared programming with the Cercle Indigiqueer Circle. This group works to raise visibility of divergent Indigenous genders and sexualities, as well as to combat isolation for those in remote communities. The Cercle Indigiqueer Circle participated in several Pride events during the summer and organized the opening of Montreal’s Pride celebration.
