Before the plunder of California, Indigenous Tribes inhabited what is now called “The Golden State.” To the Nisenan-Sacramento’s original inhabitants-that would be a slur, as it was the Gold Miner’s who wreaked havoc on their once pristine wilderness. Whilst the missions depleted the populations of South and Central California, the Gold Miner’s depleted the Tribes of the North, which had been hitherto untouched. Though wrongly considered “savage” and “inferior” by their Western counterpart, they in reality had wisdom that their invaders so badly needed to hear. To stay on topic, however, the author will discuss the Two-Spirit tradition.

Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by Indigenous Tribes to refer to GLBTQ individuals. Seeing that the Nisenan had no such word, they are reported to have used the term osa'pu, which refers to a male-bodied individual with a female spirit. This, in other words, was the Nisenan equivalent of a trans-woman.

In California, all Tribes were tolerant of trans-women. As for trans-men, the paucity of data makes their status uncertain amongst most Tribes. The Western invaders were of an extremely sexist viewpoint, and hence, trans-women typically got the attention for being so-called “cowards” who could not undertake the rigors of masculinity. The Californian Tribes, however, had a broader view and respected these individuals, oftentimes revering them. In addition to this, Californian Tribal men generally considered trans-women to be excellent marriage partners. The osa’pu, typically being of a stronger build than other women, were reputed to be especially hard workers. They could often accomplish more, carry more, endure more, and hence, were much esteemed by their Nisenan kin. Further yet, the acceptance of the osa’pu shows that marriage was more than a mere reproductive union. In the case of an osa’pu marrying a man, reproduction would of course be impossible. Being endowed with their own unique gifts, they were thence allowed the right to exist peaceably.

As for explanations to the Northern Tribes’ tolerance, the Western counterpart was likewise unimpressed. The declaration that “they were born that way” was seen as too simple and naive to a culture that maltreated such people. Instead, however, it should be seen as a profound statement, because indeed, GLBTQ individuals are born that way. Nowadays, due in part to the loss of ancient wisdom, the transgender/transsexual community is forced to struggle for the most basic of human rights. Ignorance is rife and hate crimes are disgustingly common. Those who claim to “love” trans-individuals often do so through the use of hyper-sexualization, exploitation and objectification. Whilst sex is a beautiful and vital part of life, it is a shame when the lot of trans-people-trans-women especially-are relegated to the role of mere sexual objects. The Nisenan, on the other hand, through their great respect of the environment, had a better grip of accepting things and people as they were. What a shame it is that scientists and “people of reason” have taken so long to find the tolerance to discover that they are indeed a natural part of nature.

In conclusion, it must be seen that the world still has much to learn from Indigenous people. For far too long, Tribes like the Nisenan have been overlooked. Though far from perfect, many of today’s so-called “issues,” such as gender and sexual diversity, were seen as the non-issues that they truly are. Such radically enlightened truths can only be learned through the love and acceptance of nature. When nature is rejected, individuality becomes scorned and feared. GLBTQ individuals are and always shall part be a part of nature and deserve to be treated as such.