It’s Trans Awareness Week! This year, we’d like to share with you the stories of trans and gender diverse icons we find inspiring; stories of resistance, resilience, and dreams. On this second day of Trans Awareness Week we’d like to introduce We'wha; a cultural leader, artist, and diplomat from Zuni Pueblo in present-day New Mexico. Born into the Zuni tribe in 1849, We’wha was a lhamana. Llhamana are two-spirited individuals who held positions of honour in the community, commonly taking on both masculine and feminine traits and roles, often also serving as mediators. We’wha served as a cultural ambassador for Native Americans, especially the Zuni, and was the contact point for settlers. We’wha was also known as a masterful weaver and potter. During the late 19th century, white settlers were forcing an agenda of assimilation on Native American tribal cultures, and We’wha travelled to Washington D.C. to advocate and assist in documenting Zuni culture. Text adapted from TransHub’s Trans Culture Gallery & Noah Riseman’s report on NSW trans history. Want to know more about trans history? Head to the link to discover our Trans Culture Gallery, and Noah Riseman’s book, ‘Transgender Australia’: ➡ https://lnkd.in/gm_RCtSk ➡ https://lnkd.in/gHBMin3x
