Ep. 27: Honouring the Sacredness of Two-Spirit Lives with Chance Paupanakis

Dr. Candace has some deep convos with Chance Paupanakis, a proud Swampy Cree and Two-Spirit advocate from Kinosew Sipi Cree Nation. Raised in both Indigenous and colonial worlds, Chance shares what it means to come into identity while carrying the weight of silence, shame, and survival—and how they’ve chosen to root instead in language, ceremony, and community.Their conversation moves through themes that cut deep: the erasure of Two-Spirit roles, the harm of conditional allyship, and the ongoing impact of colonialism on cultural and spiritual life. But it’s also full of hope. Chance speaks to the sacredness of Two-Spirit existence and the strength that comes from reconnecting to land, kin, and self. For any Two-Spirit youth searching for belonging, or anyone wanting to listen more deeply, this conversation is a reminder: you are sacred, you are loved, and you are never alone.BioChance comes from the Kinosew Sipi Cree Nation in Treaty 5 Territory and currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is a proud Swampy Cree and 2Spirit person who embraces his Cree language and queer identity. Chance has western education in Political Studies and Indigenous Studies from the University of Manitoba. Chance focuses his advocacy around Indigenous language revitalization, youth empowerment, land & water protection, Indigenous student rights and 2SLGBTQQIA+ resurgence. He began his healing journey five years ago and has been learning from many knowledgeable mentors from his home community and beyond. Chance currently works as a Consultant and Independent Contractor for numerous organizations throughout Manitoba. IG: @copperandfloral-Relentless ReflectionWhere in my life do I prioritize comfort over truth?Whose humanity do I still require to prove themself before I stand with them?Relentless ActionsGender binaries are colonial fictions. If you’re defending them in your policy, parenting, or pedagogy, you’re defending a system built to disappear us. Dismantle it.Unlearn the language of domination. Your allyship means nothing if your language still centres whiteness, cisness, and straightness. Do the work. Learn the words. And say them when it’s uncomfortable, not just when it’s trendy.Relentless ResourcesA Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby Reclaiming Two-Spirits: Sexuality, Spiritual Renewal & Sovereignty in Native America by Gregory D. Smithers 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