Ep. 20: Dismantling Religious Dogma: A Two Spirit Perspective with Owen Unruh

In this heart-to-heart episode, Owen Unruh opens up about his journey as a Two Spirit, Indigenous person navigating addiction, shame, and the long road to self-love. From surviving in silence to thriving in his truth, Owen shares how embracing vulnerability—and using social media as a lifeline—helped him reclaim his power.He gets real about growing up queer in a religious, conservative space, and the healing that came with unlearning internalized beliefs. We talk about the joy of finally loving every version of yourself, even the messy ones.This episode dives into the beauty of Indigenous resistance, the sacredness of storytelling, and what it means to live authentically. Owen offers words of love to other Two Spirit and queer Indigenous youth, reminding them that they are already enough. We also unpack what real allyship looks like—and how just existing, joyfully and unapologetically, is an act of rebellion.-Owen’s BioOwen Unruh (he/they) is a Two-Spirit Nêhiyaw (Cree) individual with familial ties to Driftpile First Nation. Adopted and raised in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Owen faced challenges reconciling his queer and Indigenous identities within a community that often lacked acceptance. This internal conflict led to a decade-long struggle with addiction. ​In his pursuit of healing, Owen turned to social media, particularly TikTok, to share his journey toward sobriety and self-acceptance. His candid storytelling and advocacy have resonated with a broad audience, amassing over 300,000 followers. Through his content, Owen addresses themes of addiction recovery, Indigenous identity, and Two-Spirit representation, aiming to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. ​Beyond digital platforms, Owen is a model, dancer, speaker, and performer. He utilizes dance to express joy and embody his divine sexual energy, viewing the reclamation of sexuality and identity as sacred and traditional acts for Indigiqueer individuals. ​Owen's dedication to authenticity and vulnerability has positioned him as a significant voice within both Indigenous and beyond, advocating for self-love, cultural pride, and holistic well-being.Owen’s IG & TikTok: @owen.unruh-Relentless Reflection:How have colonial systems and religious institutions shaped your understanding of identity, spirituality, and self-worth?In what ways do you silence or suppress your authentic self to conform to external expectations?Relentless Action:Create a personal Land acknowledgment that goes beyond performative statements and includes a commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and accountability. Have a budget for it, too. Financially support Indigenous-led organizations, artists, and creators doing healing and advocacy work.Relentless Resources:Two Spirit & indigiQueer Resource Toolkits Send Us a Text with Your Thoughts or Questions!Join the RIW Patreon Community RIW WebsiteMusic Produced by Award-Winning Anishnaabe DJ Boogey the Beat