Changing Ones (1,2)

In many Native American tribal societies, it was not uncommon for some men to live as women and some women to live as men. In this land, the original America, men who wore women’s clothes and did women’s work became artists, ambassadors, and religious leaders, and women sometimes became warriors, hunters and even chiefs. The term they used was "berdache". It is a generic term used primarily by anthropologists, and is frequently rejected as inappropriate and offensive by Native Americans. Two-Spirit people were a term used frequently also for Native Americans who fulfill one of many mixed gender roles found traditionally among many Native Americans and Canadian First Nations indigenous groups. Alternative gender roles were one of the most widespread and distinctive features of native societies throughout the continent until the 1980's. In just these two chapters I have read things about gender in native societies that I didn't expect to take place in their societies. It was interesting to read about it because you unconsciously stereotype Native societies. The first thing I think about when I hear Native American tribe is Indians, native women taking care of families, and I think about Native men as the dominance. I think it is important to keep an open mind when reading about these societies because a lot of the time there is more going on in the society with gender and race than what is told in the traditional history books.