2S-R3GALIA:
Two-Spirit Reclaiming, Rediscovering, Revitalizing Every Generation to Ancestral Language, Identity & Acceptance
Reclaiming. Rediscovering. Revitalizing.
We, as individuals, community members, relatives, authors, and collaborators, as a collective,
have been called upon by decades of request and demand from our Native American/First Nation/AmerIndigenous/Abya Yala communities to help in the grand and greater healing, reclamation, decolonization, and returning of cultural heritage including terminologies of our Two-Spirit, same gender loving, gender diverse, and non-cisgender community members. In addition, due to the increasing rates of hate crimes against our Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, Native American/First Nation/AmerIndigenous/Abya Yala, and LGBTQPAI+ communities and community members, we, as individuals, community members, relatives, authors, and collaborators, as a collective, will restore and expand our current understandings of our Two Spirit, same gender loving, gender diverse, and non-cisgender terms.
About 2S-R3GALIA
For decades, Indigenous communities have demanded intentional, culturally grounded healing and the decolonization of their heritage. Today, we have a vital opportunity to answer that call.
Indigenous Pride Los Angeles is launching 2S-R3GALIA (Two-Spirit Reclaiming, Rediscovering, Revitalizing Every Generation to Ancestral Language, Identity & Acceptance), a groundbreaking initiative to restore the true linguistic and cultural history of our Two-Spirit, gender-diverse, and Indigiqueer relatives.
Led by Diné (Navajo) researcher Yuè Begay, this multi-regional project will actively dismantle rigid, flawed Western gender binaries. By surveying over 40 distinct tribal nations across five major U.S. urban hubs (Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, Tulsa, and Anchorage) in its first phase, our local Native research teams will collect, verify, and ethically preserve traditional terms directly from cultural keepers and native language speakers.
Why This Project Matters Right Now
Combating Cultural Erasure: Existing catalogs of Two-Spirit terms are heavily distorted by historical Western research methods that contradict Native American and academic ethical practices.
A Vital Protective Measure: This is not merely an academic exercise. Amid a critical emergency of rising hate crimes against LGBTQPAI+ Indigenous relatives, rooting modern identity in accurate historical respect is a proven way to foster safety, community acceptance, and social justice.
True Accessibility: The final, verified data pool will be synthesize into an open-source report published directly on the Indigenous Pride LA website, returning these invaluable linguistic resources back to the public and the communities who own them.
Empower the Reclamation: Our Fundraising Goal
To fully execute this expansive 12-month project and support our field operations across dozens of tribal communities,
we need to raise a preliminary total of $758,000.00
A Note on Financial Integrity: This budget strictly aligns with the highest standards of philanthropic stewardship. It includes no commercial film productions, no capital campaigns, and no luxury or business-class travel. Every dollar goes directly toward community-rooted, field-level cultural preservation.
Your investment is more than a donation, it is an act of decolonization, a shield of safety for vulnerable youth, and a permanent bridge returning Indigenous people to their ancestral identities.
Join us in revitalizing these voices. Support the 2S-R3GALIA Project today.
For Institutional Funders & Philanthropic Partners
If you are a representative of a private foundation, community foundation, or corporate giving program interested in supporting 2S-R3GALIA through a formal grant award, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
Our Alignment & Compliance Features
Humanities in Place Guidelines: This project is strictly structured to align with foundational "Humanities in Place" funding models.
Fringe & Personnel Compliance: Project budgeting accounts for a structured 30% fringe benefit rate for our specialized regional research framework.
Strict Cost Exclusions: Our financials feature zero capital campaigns, standalone commercial media productions, or business-class travel, ensuring your grant dollars go entirely toward field-level impact.
Open-Source Public Benefit: All synthesized data will result in an open-access report to advance the broader fields of Indigenous equity, linguistics, and social justice.