Cherokee Nation hosts 2025 Two-Spirit celebration
Annual event to be held on October 3 & 4 in Tahlequah
- by Brian Eckberg
Two-Spirit Columnist
All Nations Two-Spirit Society
This year’s Two-Spirit Celebration is getting its biggest support ever from an indigenous nation. In previous years, Osage Nation became the first to provide sponsorship for Two-Spirit pow wows. However, this year’s gathering includes sponsorship and granted ceremonial grounds by Cherokee Nation.
It’s a new level of support from one of the biggest nations on Turtle Island (The Americas).
In 2024, Cherokee Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. became the first modern chief in Indian Country to issue a proclamation for Pride month, saying “I want them to know, more than anyone else, that Cherokee Nation and the Cherokee people love you, and that we see you, and that you’re a part of our community.”
In 2025, Hoskin went a step further, specifically mentioning Two-Spirit people. “Cherokee Nation proudly celebrates Pride Month with our 2SLGBTQ+ citizens and stands strongly in solidarity.”
In an era where sponsors and allies have backed away, so as not to invoke the wrath of the Trump administration, Cherokee Nation doubled its efforts and financial support. Because of this, the Two-Spirit Celebration will be held in Tahlequah, OK, and hosted by Cherokee Nation and the Tahlequah Public Library. This year’s celebration includes a Stomp Dance & Dinner on Friday, October 3rd and a Symposium & Community Pow Wow on Saturday, October 4th. Admission is free for all events.
Miss International Two-Spirit Ahyoka Youngdeer said at this year’s Cherokee Pride proclamation, “As Cherokee people in the old way, they told us this is what they would say: ‘we are to live in such a way that we include all people.’ And when I hear different elders talk about it, one of the things they always add at the end is ‘no exception.’”
You are all invited to join us at the Two-Spirit Celebration, organized by the Intercultural Partnership Council, along with TahlEquality and All Nations Two-Spirit Society (ANTSS). For those of you who identify as Two-Spirit, consider it a homecoming with your fellow queer Natives. For those of you who do not, consider it an invitation to learn more about these sacred people of medicine. I can assure you that this gathering will be one to remember.
There is still time to become a sponsor or a vendor at the pow wow. You can find a link to the celebration, along with contact info and a program schedule of activities on the ANTSS website. Just visit antss.co and click on “Events” in the menu bar. There you’ll find a link to the Two-Spirit Celebration. On behalf of my fellow Two-Spirit and Cherokee family, we welcome you all to join us on October 3 & 4 in Tahlequah, OK. Please consider attending.
Wado!
The Gayly. 09/24/2025 @11:38 a.m. CST.