In the second episode of the fifth season of Canada’s Drag Race, indigenous queens Jaylene Tyme and Xana shared a special moment together as spoke about about their Métis identities — and it gets emotional.
“I grew up without my culture,” Xana, who is from Vancouver, said in the Werk Room to her sisters.
“It feels so disconnected and like I understand the privilege that I have being white-passing and I really trying to reclaim my indigeneity and being Two-Spirit.”
She continued with tears welling up in her eyes, “I just don’t feel comfortable sharing it with everybody. My grandfather was a part of the Sixties Scoop as well. Our culture is gone, and I didn’t get to grow up with that.”
She turned to Jaylene and told her how much it was for her to be there.
“It just sucks so much that we don’t get that far culture anymore, that place in that community and that family,” Xana said.
It was in that moment that Jaylene, who is also Métis, gifted a sash to Xana.
“My grandfather’s from the Métis Federation, Saskatchewan… this is regalia for the Métis. I think it’s important for it to come from me.”
She went on to explain that the sash is a way for their community to say, “I see you. We are family.”
“It is my honor to present to you with all my heart,” Jaylene told Xana, as tears flooded the Werk Room.
Take a look at the touching moment, amplifying Two-Spirit connection on TV:
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“I’m reminded how important it is for us to create spaces where people can feel safe, to share how they feel,” said Jaylene Tyme, a drag performer of over 30 years, who hails from Vancouver, B.C.
“Sometimes you don’t know who to turn to. When we all make a commitment to come into a space and to say you can be you, You’ll be amazed on what kind of conversations can happen.”
Watch Canada’s Drag Race on WOW Presents+ and check your local listings in Canada.