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Welcome back to Lez Hang Out, the podcast that is currently listening to Tequila Knows Me on a loop.

This week, co-hosts Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) hang out with Shawnee Kish (@shawneekish), a four-time JUNO-nominated 2 spirit Indigenous alternative country artist from Canada. Shawnee released her debut album, Chapter 1, this past summer and was recently nominated for female artist of the year at the 15th Annual Country Music Awards in Alberta. 

We spoke with Shawnee about her journey toward self-acceptance and embracing her Indigenous roots, the barriers for queer artists in country music, and the experience of cultivating chosen family while navigating her own family’s homophobia. Growing up in Canada, she did not have strong connections to her Indigenous ancestry and hid from her own sexuality. When she began to learn from her elders and understand more about Indigenous beliefs, she was able to reconcile what her spirit always knew was true and fully step into her 2 spirit identity.

Nowadays, Shawnee is loudly out and proud, refusing to shy away from her true self even when confronted by her family’s religious beliefs and intolerant music industry professionals. Ellie bonded with Shawnee over processing emotional, deeply personal experiences through music and Leigh bonded over their shared experience of motherhood. We also talked with Shawnee about how she met her wife (a story that is slightly different depending on whether you ask her or her wife about it) and what it means for her to be 2 spirit. 

Don’t forget to show your support for our tiny independent team by shopping small at bit.ly/lezmerch & picking up Lez-ssentials songs on Bandcamp.

Give us your own answers to our Q & Gay on Instagram and follow along on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and BlueSky @lezhangoutpod. Email us @[email protected]. Connect with us individually: Ellie Brigida (@elliebrigida). Leigh Holmes Foster (@lshfoster).

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