Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag, Klinic see investments in Two-spirit, trans healthcare
The Manitoba government has pledged $1.6 million in new funding for two-spirit and transgender Manitobans.
About $150,000 will go to 2Spirit Manitoba Inc. through the Manitoba Indigenous Reconciliation Secretariat and the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag provincial strategy, while an additional $473,000 will flow through Shared Health’s Gender Diversity and Affirming Action for Youth program.
Trans Health Klinic will receive just over $1 million in new funding.
The International Day of Transgender Visibility has been unofficially marked in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for many years, but Manitoba marked its first official Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility in Manitoba on March 31 at a time when many jurisdictions are rolling back the rights of queer and trans people.
The Alberta legislature passed legislation last year limiting access to gender-affirming healthcare, banning trans people from competing in women’s sports divisions and requiring parental consent for name or pronoun changes in school settings.
New Brunswick imposed similar legislation in 2023, although Premier Susan Holt repealed it when the provincial Liberals formed government in 2024.
At the same time, Saskatchewan used Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom’s notwithstanding clause to pass legislation targeting trans youth.
Human rights organizations have also raised the alarm over comments made by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, stating trans women have no place in women’s bathrooms, changing rooms, shelters, sporting competitions and other places—comments very similar to those made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
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