Reclaiming Our Identities Two Spirit Powwow

New Native Theatre presents an annual Two Spirit Powwow in the Twin Cities honoring Native Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives. The free, family-friendly event includes dancing, drumming, regalia, craft vendors and a community feast. The 2026 powwow, the fifth annual, was held at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

New Native Theatre, which presents the powwow, was founded in 2009 by playwright Rhiana Yazzie, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. The Twin Cities company produces, commissions and develops Native American stories for the stage, trains Native artists, and keeps an open door so any Native community member can come learn and work with it. Its focus is on the 11 tribes in Minnesota and the urban Native community of the Twin Cities.

The powwow is described as the only one in Minnesota honoring Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives, and it draws more than 500 people. Organizers share protocol for guests: follow the emcee's cues, stand and remove hats during Grand Entry and honor songs if able, and enter the arena only when invited for intertribal or other open dances. Dancers wear regalia, not costumes, and guests should ask before photographing individuals and never touch regalia, drums or feathers. A fallen feather should be left in place and reported to staff.

The powwow is a sober, family-centered space with no alcohol or drugs, and elders are given priority in seating, lines and meal service. New Native Theatre also publishes a digital zine of art and writing from each year's powwow.

Two-Spirit gatherings honor Indigenous LGBTQ+ people and their traditions, often as a powwow with dancing, drumming and ceremony.

Reclaiming Our Identities Two Spirit Powwow has included powwow, grand entry, community feast and craft vendors.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 23, 2026. It usually falls a weekday in late June during Pride Month.