Diversity Film Festival - Two Spirits

The WSU Vancouver Diversity Council sponsors a yearly film festival, held during the fall semester. Films are chosen based on specific themes that reflect on multiple aspects of cultural diversity present in the world around us.

The festival's goal is to encourage and promote awareness and dialog about diversity issues present within the WSU Vancouver campus, the Vancouver community, and the world beyond.

The film festival will be held over two weeks with one theme each week. The first week focuses on issues of political diversity, and the second week is about American Indians and native culture.

Week Two: Native Americans

Film 2: Two Spirits (2011; 54 minutes)

This film tells the story of Fred Martinez; a "two-spirit" with both masculine and feminine traits—a special gift in Native culture. Fred became one of the youngest hate-crime victims in history when he was murdered at age 16. This film examines tradition, controversy, sex and spirit, civil rights, gender issues, and the freedom to be yourself. The director of this film, Lydia Nibley, will be on campus this day for a discussion session following the showing, class talks and possibly a public lecture.