Wilf Junior Plasway (he/him) lives in his home community of Burns Lake and works as a receptionist for the CSFS Guardianship office. A member of the Mountain Clan, he is one of the youngest Knowledge Holders in Lake Babine Nation and currently on the path to becoming a Hereditary Chief. 

Today, Wilf lives proudly as a two-spirit, bisexual person; however, his journey to claiming his identity has been many years in the making. 

“I kept my sexuality and identity hidden for a very long time. It can be hard for someone like me to be out and open in a small village like Burns Lake, because you just can’t hide anything in this community. But I kept my sexuality very hidden because it felt like Burns Lake was a ‘straight-only’ town in a way, and it’s hard for people to be out.”

Though Wilf realized his sexuality in Grade 8, it would be many years before he came out to his family and the greater community. As a highschooler, he was anxious about homophobia and ‘gay bashing’. 

“I became the second Indigenous Student Body President, and it was amazing. At that time, I was staying in the closet because I was too scared. I was worried that as a leader, my reputation would be thrown away because of my sexuality. I was worried the town wouldn’t accept me for who I was.

“The only people I came out to were my cousins, and they accepted me for who I was which meant so much. But I was too scared to let my friends know – and it took a while. I graduated in 2002, and it wasn’t until six or seven years later that I came out to two of my best friends and youth I worked with at the Youth Centre. They were all accepting and told me that we need more people like me to be out in our community to represent those who are struggling. It meant a lot to me.”

Throughout his journey, Wilf has researched and explored the history of gender identity in Carrier nations. Though he has found there is not much information on 2SLGBTQ+ identities in Carrier culture, he believes two-spirit people had ceremonial roles pre-contact. 

“I think before my parents’ time, two-spirit people were more well known. Residential Schools erased everything, and I know how traumatizing it was and continues to be for all our Indigenous people. I know for a fact our culture and language are still alive, but colonization tarnished and damaged and erased two-spirit for many Indigenous peoples.”

‘Two-spirit’ is a pan-Indigenous term that refers to a distinct gender status. The term and the understanding of the role of two-spirit people can vary between Indigenous peoples, but generally it is used as an identifier for those with both feminine and masculine spirits. As explained by Wilf, two-spirit people often had roles similar to that of a shaman or medicine person.

“Some Indigenous people know about two-spirit, and they show wagoos (respect) to that. There are a lot of people who are open about it, and I know there is acceptance. But there are a lot of people who don’t understand. And they need to learn and know that being two-spirit or LGBTQ+ is part of Indigenous culture as well,” Wilf expresses. “It can be tough because it may be new for people, and they might not know about two-spirit and things like pronouns. But we need to learn.”

Wilf shares that despite his trepidation about coming out, his experience was overwhelmingly positive. The respect and acceptance of his community has created a foundation of support to not only explore his own identity, but further foster conversations and awareness to help others find strength in their own identities too.  

“Being two-spirit means a lot for me. To live openly in front of the community, especially in Burns Lake. I am so happy to be in my hometown, to know who I am and be proud of who I am. I feel the weight off my shoulders, and it has meant so much that everyone has been accepting of who I am.” 

Increasing awareness of two-spirit and LGBTQ+ people is an important part of creating a safer, more inclusive community. Wilf notes that while he knows there is a lot of acceptance, there is still much work to be done.

In addition to speaking in community about his own journey, Wilf contributes to the CSFS Staff 2SLGBTQ+ Working Group. Meeting for the first time in December of 2023, the group brings staff members from across the organization together to brainstorm ways CSFS can better serve 2SLGBTQ+ community members and contribute to more inclusive spaces.

“It’s really important to acknowledge that the two-spirit is alive and well in the Carrier Nation, and it is so important to help people understand.”

This Pride Month and every month, CSFS acknowledges and honours two-spirit and LGBTQ+ community members everywhere. 

Wraparound health and wellness services are available for 2SLGBTQ+ community members (ages 18+). If you or someone you know needs mental health and well-being support, please reach out to the Nanki Nezulne (Our Two Spirits) program. Learn more and connect to services at www.csfs.org/lgbtq2