Introducing a New Website to Serve the LGBTQ2+ Community

January 13, 2021

By Jordan Cryderman

Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) is thrilled to announce that the Nanki Nezulne (Our Two Spirits) Adult (18+) LGBTQ2+ Health and Wellness Services program has launched a new website for the LGBTQ2+ community and its allies.

CSFS Nanki Nezulne (Our Two Spirits) aims to provide holistic health and wellness support for adult members of the LGBTQ2+ community in the Nations we serve. The development and implementation of our practices are determined through partnerships and collaboration with Carrier and Sekani people.

From the onset, Brittany Clark-Wakefield, Mental Health Clinician of the LGBTQ2+ program  said the project has been utilizing a “Two-Eyed Seeing Approach,” which seeks to combine Indigenous and Western philosophies and knowledge. 

“We have sought out Carrier and Sekani Knowledge Holders, Elders, health care providers, and community members to assist us with first-hand knowledge and experience of cultural and traditional practices to incorporate within our programs, activities, events, celebrations, and therapeutic practices.” 

As the program continues to grow, Clark-Wakefield says this emphasis on Carrier and Sekani culture will continue. 

“We hope Carrier and Sekani people can continue to provide us with insight of their cultural beliefs about the LGBTQ2+ community, and services they wish to have accessible to them. We have named the program Nanki Nezulne (one of many translatations from Dakelh to English meaning ‘Our Two Spirits’) to emphasize our utmost priority to incorporate Carrier and Sekani culture.”

This new website will be the landing page for the Nanki Nezulne program, and will serve as a safe space for LGBTQ2+ members. Through the website, community members can access counselling services, LGBTQ2+ specific education, and learn about upcoming LGBTQ2+ events, activities, and celebrations. CSFS supports an inclusive and accepting environment, including community members that self-identify and/or are questioning their gender or sexual identities. 

Nanki Nezulne program staff hope LGBTQ2+ community members and allies find the website beneficial where they can access information and additional resources to support and encourage the health and wellness of LGBTQ2+ individuals.

Clark-Wakefield says that the program’s resources “will primarily be facilitated online to ensure the privacy and accessibility for all clients and community members.” 

The website will allow for clients to connect with supports in a number of ways. For example, clients will be able to book an appointment with our dedicated counsellor, Clark-Wakefield. Appointments will be available via phone or video call. The program accepts agency and self-referrals for clients that are 18 years and older. Parents of LGBTQ2+ youth can also receive LGBTQ2+ education or counselling services from the program’s clinician.

Clark-Wakefield says that the program will continue to develop the website to better support its LGBTQ2+ members, even after launch. 

“Through partnership and collaboration with Carrier and Sekani people, we hope to continue to develop sustainable and valued resources that community members find beneficial, and encourage inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ2+ community. We hope our website is a catalyst for LGBTQ2+ events, celebrations, educational sessions etc. in each of the Nations we serve. We hope our website becomes a centralized resource of LGBTQ2+ services and information for the Carrier and Sekani people.”

You can find the new website at https://lgbtq2.csfs.org/

Please feel free to contact program staff with any questions.

Brittany Clark-Wakefield (She/Her)
Mental Health Clinician 
Email: bcwakefield@csfs.org
Phone: 778-349-1448

Hunter Brazzoni (She/Her)
Special Projects – Resource and Inclusion
Email: hbrazzoni@csfs.org 
Phone: 250-251-6781

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