13th Annual BAAITS Powwow

Photos by Rink

Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion was filled with hundreds of organizers, participants, and audience members for the 13th Annual Bay Area Indian Two-Spirit (BAAITS) Powwow. The annual event is the largest public, stand-alone Two-Spirit powwow in the world.

This year’s intertribal social gathering of Native Americans and allies started with a Native Market featuring traditional foods and drinks, which was followed by a Gourd Dance Exhibition, the Powwow Opening ceremony with the Ohlone Sisters, a performance by Danza Mexica, and the Closing Song and Prayer.

“Two-Spirit” is a Native American term for people with both female and male energies. Two-Spirits may (or may not) also identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or gender non-conforming. Traditionally, Two-Spirits often held—and many still hold— honored positions in their Native American and First Nations communities. To find out more, visit http://www.baaits.org

You can also watch the archived live-stream of this year’s BAAITS Powwow: http://tinyurl.com/cenmptam