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  • Embodying two spirits

    Embodying two spirits

    http://cdn.itvs.org/two_spirits-trailer.jpgmp4:two_spirits-trailer-1024.mov
  • Gender as a spectrum, not a divide

    Gender as a spectrum, not a divide

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  • Striving to be accepted, not tolerated

    Striving to be accepted, not tolerated

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  • "This is how I'm gonna be"

    "This is how I'm gonna be"

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  • Gay rights pioneer Harry Hay strongly identified with the traditions of the nadleehi.

    Gay rights pioneer Harry Hay strongly identified with the traditions of the nadleehi.

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  • Role models can make all the difference in a young person's life.

    Role models can make all the difference in a young person's life.

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  • Fred's mother turned her loss into a personal mission to help other kids like her son.

    Fred's mother turned her loss into a personal mission to help other kids like her son.

    http://cdn.itvs.org/two_spirits-kids-like-fred-extra.jpgmp4:two_spirits-kids-like-fred-extra-1024.mov
  • Fred Martinez dancing, from a reenactment in the film

    Fred Martinez dancing, from a reenactment in the film

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  • Fred Martinez Jr.

    Fred Martinez Jr.

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  • Fred Martinez Jr., photo taken a few weeks before his death and a few feet from the place his body was found.

    Fred Martinez Jr., photo taken a few weeks before his death and a few feet from the place his body was found.

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  • We’wha in the ceremonial costume of Zuni women, 1886

    We’wha in the ceremonial costume of Zuni women, 1886

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  • Lydia Nibley directing Two Spirits

    Lydia Nibley directing Two Spirits

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  • Historic photo of Navajo couple from the collection of the Museum of New Mexico, 1866

    Historic photo of Navajo couple from the collection of the Museum of New Mexico, 1866

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  • Fred’s mother, Pauline Mitchell, at the murder site

    Fred’s mother, Pauline Mitchell, at the murder site

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  • Two-Spirit Joey Criddle and Tony Staton

    Two-Spirit Joey Criddle and Tony Staton

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  • We’wha, Zuni leader who was born male but functioned in female roles, 1886. Photo credit: National Anthropological Archives.

    We’wha, Zuni leader who was born male but functioned in female roles, 1886. Photo credit: National Anthropological Archives.

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  • Cast and crew on location in Cortez, Colorado

    Cast and crew on location in Cortez, Colorado

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The Film

Filmmaker Lydia Nibley explores the cultural context behind a tragic and senseless murder. Fred Martinez was a Navajo youth slain at the age of 16. But Fred was part of an honored Navajo tradition - the nadleeh, or 'two-spirit,' who possesses a balance of masculine and feminine traits. In relating Fred's story, Nibley reminds us of the values that America's indigenous peoples have long embraced.

The Filmmakers

  1. Lydia NibleyProducer/Director
  2. Russell MartinProducer

  • This film premiered on June 14, 2011 on Independent Lens on PBS

How to See It

Film Details

Genre:Documentary
Region:United States, US - West
Length:60 minutes
Topics:Native American, Gay, Lesbian, LGBT, Crime & Justice, Civil Rights, Youth

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