Indigenous, Queer and Trans Identity in Navajo Nation with Charlie Amáyá Scott
In this episode, Hannah is joined by Charlie Amáyá Scott (they/she), a Diné scholar who reflects, analyzes, and critiques what it means to be queer, trans, and Diné in the 21st century. Charlie talks about growing up in Navajo Nation, exploring her queer and trans identity as an Indigenous person, and the misconceptions that Navajo Nation is very inclusive of queer and gender diverse people. They also talk about Two Spirit identity, an identity specific to Indigenous cultures in North America, and the impact settler colonialism has had on the acceptance of queer identities in the Navajo Nation. Charlie and Hannah talk about the accessibility of sexual health care for Indigenous people and people in Navajo Nation, and the impact that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has had on Indigenous peoples specifically. Finally, Charlie discusses their work connecting with and supporting other queer and trans Indigenous people, the importance of honouring their ancestry while also forging the life they want for themselves, and what it’s like navigating trans communities as an Indigenous trans person.
CW: mention of abortion
Read the episode transcript here!
QUESTIONS FROM LISTENERS
How does being Indigenous impact your experience of being trans and vice versa?
What is one thing you would most like the cis white masses to understand about you?
What is the best thing a non Native teacher can do to help the effort?
How do you balance being part of so many groups/identities that all have different things that they're advocating for? And how do you have energy to dedicate to all of them?
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MORE ABOUT CHARLIE AMÁYÁ SCOTT
Charlie Amáyá Scott is a Diné (Navajo) scholar born and raised within the central part of the Navajo Nation. Charlie reflects, analyzes, and critiques what it means to be Queer, Trans, and Diné in the 21st century on their personal blog, dineaesthetics.com, while inspiring joy and justice to thousands on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. They are a doctoral candidate in higher education at the University of Denver with research interests on the intricacies of settler colonialism, social media, and higher education. Their English pronouns are they/them and she/her.
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