Episode Details

In this episode, I speak with Karrie Lynn Sparvier, a two-spirit trans woman and knowledge keeper from the White Bear First Nation. Karrie Lynn shares her journey of self-discovery, her experiences as a residential school survivor, and the challenges she faced growing up. The discussion also delves into the importance of genuine representation, cultural appropriation, and the need for inclusive policies that respect human rights. Karrie Lynn emphasizes the significance of maintaining open communication with indigenous communities and the broader implications of anti-trans legislation. This episode highlights the intersection of identity, community, and environmental stewardship, advocating for a more inclusive and balanced approach to societal issues.

Karrie said to me today, “It is my responsibility to pass on this knowledge and anything else you want to know from me. Call me anytime.” She added, “If there is any message to relay to people, it is that there is no greater gift than to be yourself.” In this conversation, you hear that Karrie worked in the military for twenty years and is now an active member of the Calgary Police Service. Thank you for your service, Karrie Lynn!

Welcome to Karrie Lynn Sparvier

Jenny:

Welcome to The Gravity Well, here, we break down heavy ideas into small buckets you can handle. Our mission is simple. Help us work through your dilemmas in conversation and process. Together we and our community will face your dilemmas and make the world a better place for all. In the spirit of truth, I acknowledge I’m a settler on stolen Blackfoot Treaty seven in Metis districts five and six territories. I take Reconcili-Action by seeking the wisdom of elders and individuals who aim to restore water, air, land, life, or community, and a healthy living relationship with the earth. And each other is our guide. I’m pleased to be sitting down with Karrie Lynn Sparvier. Thank you so much for joining me. The reason why we’re here together is my friend Holly Standingready brought us together after an incident that occurred on our show. We had a guest that we supported over four episodes without appreciating that we were misrepresenting him. Has credentials in terms of education around Blackfoot knowledge, but is not a member of the Blackfoot community. We seek to hold conversations with people that we are working together with in bringing people through the crisis that we’re facing. That’s the social environmental economic crisis. Holly connected me with you and I’m so glad to sit down with you. Why don’t we start with a little bit of an introduction of yourself, please?

Karrie Lynn:

The name I go by right now is Karrie Lynn Sparvier. I’m a Two Spirit trans woman. And my definition of two-spirit is that I identify as both genders inside. I had hidden my true identity as a two-spirit for 52 years presenting as a male. And the last three and a half years since I’ve come out and publicly acclaimed as Two Spirit, I have walked the feminine path. For me to understand that half, I don’t know how long that journey will take or whether or not there will be a balance. I am hoping at some point there might be, but at this point, I have to walk the feminine side of my journey, well, of my identity, as well. It’s quite a journey. I’ve learned a lot, that’s for sure. And as a two-spirit knowledge keeper from the White Bear First Nation, which is in southeast Saskatchewan. I am Lakota, which is Lakota Sioux. We are descended from down in the States. Well, our descendants came up from the States right after the battle, a little bighorn with Chief City. So we are descendants of that group that came up. My legal name is Gary Cassette. I am starting the process to change. I am not taking away the Gary cassette part. I’m adding the Karrie Lynn portion to that name. I’v