Call for Two Spirit acceptance
Eskasoni man says colonization has disconnected people from the history of Two Spirit people
ESKASONI — Pride Eskasoni is working diligently to educate people about the roots of Two Spirit people in Mi'kmaq culture because colonization ripped away people from that history.
“Today a lot of people don't know that this is a part of our culture because of residential schools and the church system,” said Bertram Bernard Jr., chief operating officer at Pride Eskasoni.
The 28-year-old is Two Spirit and has no preference for pronouns, he or she both work.
Bernard said in Mi'kmaq history Two Spirit people were often spiritual leaders and he read a lot of that history while researching a thesis, which wasn't on Two Spirit people. He thinks his own journey was unique, his parents are very spiritual and believe deeply in traditional Mi'kmaq ways, so when he came out as Two Spirit they were very accepting.
“For me it was a really positive space growing up in Eskasoni,” said Bernard. “I want that for the younger generations.”
He believes education is key. Some people still don't understand the concept of transgender or using proper pronouns. So, Bernard and the Pride Eskasoni team have taken it upon themselves to educate people. They aim to educate their community about the 2SLGBTQ+ community, while also educating the wider Pride community about Indigenous ways of knowing and Two Spirit history.
Executive director of Pride Eskasoni, Geordy Marshall, says it is a pleasure to work with Bernard.
“He loves our people and will do anything to ensure that we are all pulling ourselves to our future and healing form intergenerational trauma and colonization,” said Marshall.
Marshall feels while he's the visionary of Pride Eskasoni, Bernard is the backbone that keeps them grounded.
Bernard has an extensive business background receiving both a bachelor of arts and master's in business from Cape Breton University and graduating from the Harvard Business School program last year.
Marshall says all those skills give Bernard a great business approach to helping lead Pride
Eskasoni forward.
“It's a very family-oriented business. It's our approach and it's always going to be our approach to see things through a Mi'kmaq lens,” said Marshall.
They're also preparing a Mi'kmaq drag show soon and have plans to expand, with a goal to help all 13 Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia.
The next initiative is called Kepmite'lsi which Bernard said can have two meanings in English depending on how it's said in Mi'kmaw — it can mean “I'm proud of myself" or “Take pride in who you are.”
The initiative will be centred around expanding Pride in various communities, teaching the history of Two Spirit people and educating others about intergenerational trauma and colonization.
Bernard said when that initiative is up and running, he would like to help people better understand financial literacy. He knows some people still struggle to understand loans and other aspects of finances. Bernard credits his parents for sparking his interest in business.
“They helped me appreciate the education around money, "said Bernard.
Bernard's best advice is to learn online about financial literacy and keep ones expenses low and have a positive income. He also hopes more people learn about the 2SLGTBQ+ community and understand Mi'kmaq ways of knowing.
“I appreciate people starting to understand and promote this way of Mi'kmaq people,” said Bernard.