Colonial Erasure and Cultural Renewal: The Psychological and Spiritual Dimensions of Two-Spirit Identity in Southwestern Indigenous Communities

Abstract

This research examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Two-Spirit individuals in Southwestern Indigenous communities, including Navajo, Pueblo, Apache, and Hopi peoples. It explores the psychological, social, and spiritual impacts of colonialism, Christianization, and boarding-school assimilation policies, as well as the resilience strategies rooted in Indigenous cultural practices.