Two-Spirit Spoken Word Poet | International Author | Indigenous Rights Activist
Click HERE for Shuína Skó’s newest book now available on Amazon
Expanding Community
Shuína Skó offers spoken word poetry performances, cultural consultation services, and workshops throughout the United States and Canada
“Poetry is good medicine to the Spirit of those who drink it and deeply healing for those courageous enough to create it.”
— Shuína Skó
“Powerful, moving and profound!”
- ICWA Conference Attendee
Fearlessly Authentic
Shuína Skó is a skilled orator who creates vibrant images in the mind while drawing out deep emotions by weaving together heartfelt stories of the “Indigenous experience,” their Two-Spirit and queer identities, and their healing journey with intergenerational trauma
Shuína Skó, a traditionally taught storyteller, leaves audiences with a gift of beautiful poetry that celebrates connection, the divine Spirit in us all, and sacred Indigenous practices
Shuína Skó is available for spoken word poetry performances, conferences, panels, films, and workshops
Shuína Skó’s spoken word is more than a performance it is a mind-shifting experience
Decolonize the mind & Indigenize the heart
Poetry with a purpose
On May 3, 2024, the Klamath Tribes held a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day gathering; the initial presidential proclamation was issued three years prior in 2021
Shuína Skó, performed their poem titled “No More Goodbyes” to close the gathering
On July 9, 2024 District Attorney David Schutt presented Shuína Skó with a framed poster of the “No More Goodbyes” poem that is now being displayed at the Courthouse
TESTIMONIALS
"You (Shuína) are medicine"
Oregon Community Foundation Poetry Workshop Participant
"The event 'What is Two Spirit? with Shuina Sko' was truly the kind of thing that refills my tank... I can't say I seek out poetry, but there really is something powerful when someone can move you by the care and craft of their words and the depths of awareness and introspection it takes to create them!"
Allstate's Native & Pride Conference Attendee
"Your words and energy are uplifting!"
2023 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Amazing storyteller, engaging and so inspiring. Thank you!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Incredibly vivid inspirational imagery in your poem! So beautiful!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"So powerful and descriptive. You empower me to be a voice!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"It was I N C R E D I B L E thank you for speaking such healing and beauty into the pride event and into the community!!! Feeling so grateful to have met you today and honored to hear your beautiful eloquent spoken word!!!"
Klamath PRIDE Attendee
"Emotional & powerful poems"
NICWA: 40th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference Attendee
"You are a powerful storyteller! I always appreciate listening to you!"
NICWA: 40th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference Attendee
"You are *such* a kickass speaker + poet + you reallllllly modeled to people the power of bringing their passion + their multiple identities into the world and their creativity."
"Future Thought Leader" Program Advisor/Founder
"Best opener ever!"
Regional ICWA Specialist, ODHS Child Welfare D11
"Shuína Skó, always a highlight of the conference"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Thank you for telling us your story. I appreciate the vulnerability, honesty and love that you shared. Thank you for providing guidance and information on how to empathetically support and honor the family, the individual and the culture. We are blessed to have you help heal and teach our community."
Equity Hour ODHS D11 Attendee
"Powerful poetry!"
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"I was blown away! You have such a gift for speaking, and your vulnerability and honesty were so humbling. Thank you for being willing to share a piece of your story."
ICWA Liaison and Supervisor at the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline ODHS Child Welfare
"Beautifully strong words, Pidamaye!"
NICWA: 40th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference Attendee
"Creativity with a meaning."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"...what a HUGE impact you had on your peers, Tribal partners and Child Welfare leadership across the state by bringing voice and perspective so that we can connect your experience to how we are serving tribal communities and families in Oregon."
Director of the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline ODHS Child Welfare
"That was an incredible presentation. Thank you so much."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"You are fantastic! I learned so much, definitely many tribal similarities; I am from the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico."
ICWA Webinar Attendee
"Your art is so powerful! What a beautiful message for all of us and our children."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Great teachings Shuína, thank you!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"The personal words and stories she shared not only resonated with our Training Team but also the participants in the training. She passionately shared her own story woven through poems she had written. Words cannot accurately describe how impactful she was. I firmly believe her strong words helped stir in workers hearts as she encouraged them to be present and open. Our Tribal partners that joined us today were also moved by her words."
ICWA Consultant, ODHS Tribal Affairs
"Thank you for speaking at the ICWA Conference this morning. Your words are so powerful and important."
Regional ICWA Specialist, ODHS Child Welfare D5
"Ahéhee'! What a beautiful presentation!"
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"BEAUTIFUL! Excellent story teller. Absolutely love your presentation. I enjoyed your positive energy, I could feel your energy through my screen. Thank You So Very Much for taking the time to speak to us today."
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"You are so wonderful, strong and impactful."
ORICWA Conference Attendee and Supervisor at the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline, ODHS Child Welfare
"Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"I want to say thank you! In listening I realized I had made assumptions about Two Spirit and both your explanation and your poems helped me (hopefully) understand a bit better these assumptions. I am so glad I came today."
PRIDE Employee Resource Group Training Attendee
"Thank you so very much for the gifts of your spirit, talents and time!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Love your spoken word. So powerful!"
NICWA: 40th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference Attendee
"You provided such a powerful message. Thank you for sharing yourself with us today."
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"You are a power of influence, thank you for sharing your gifts."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Amazing, beautiful and impactful, thank you."
2021 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"I look forward to hearing you speak every time! We can see the fire and passion in your eyes and your delivery is captivating every time! Thank you for sharing with us!"
2022 Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
"Powerful, moving and profound."
Tribal-State ICWA Conference Attendee
MEDIA
MEDIA
APTN National News
Students bring attention to systemic barriers faced by transgender and Two-Spirit communities
A group of women and gender studies students from the University of Saskatchewan met to discuss the challenges of homophobia and transphobia in schools and post-secondary educational institutions
Shuína provided the keynote presentation for the "Queering as Community: Making Space in the Classroom" conference at University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. The keynote content covered includes exploring "how homophobic, transphobic, colonial policies impact some of our most vulnerable (and undeniably beautiful) people by increasing the risk to their immediate safety and seemingly targeting their ongoing wellness. We will also cover the intricacies of the Two-Spirit identity and how to be a bridge for the vulnerable to safety."
Klamath Falls Herald and News
Klamath language ties directly to Klamath culture
On Oct. 14, 1864, Chinchallo MukHas hunched over the table to sign the Treaty of 1864. It was a legally binding document put before him by a foreign government written in a language he likely did not understand.
MukHas — like the other treaty signers — may have been exposed to English, but his mother tongue was Klamath-Modoc, or as it is traditionally known, maqlaqsyals. Maqlaqsyals is the traditional name for both the Klamath and Modoc languages, which are distinct from but similar to each other. Today, there are fewer than 10 conversationally fluent speakers of Klamath-Modoc, but there are a number of second language users.
The Northern Paiute, who also signed the treaty, spoke their own language, Paiute, or as it is traditionally known, Numu yadua. Many also knew Chinook Wawa, a widely spoken trading language known by Indigenous people and some whites.
Roughly translated, maqlaqsyals and Numu yadua both mean “the peoples’ language,” or “the peoples’ talk.”
A new generation
Flash forward about 158 years after the signing of the Treaty of 1864, and Chinchallo MukHas’s great- great- great- great-grandchild, Shuína Skó, crunches through the snow on her family’s land along the Williamson River near Chiloquin.
She points out two houses on opposite sides of the property where her great-grandparents lived, and the willows along the riverbank her family still uses to build a frame for sweat lodges before making the traditional plunge into the frigid Williamson.
Shuína Skó’s English name is Kayce Womack. She was given her Klamath name by tribal elders when she was around 3 years old. Shuína Skó is Klamath for “Singing Spring.” In the last few years, she has chosen to go by her Klamath-Modoc name as it exists in her tribe’s traditional language.
“I’ve always had my Klamath-Modoc name, that has always existed,” she said. “My mother knew it, close relatives knew it, so everyone knew that I went by ‘Singing Spring.’”
She said letting that name define her in the wider world was important to her and her self-conception.
“What it means to me is that my culture is not dead and it is not dying,” she said. “And I am a reason for it to stay alive, and so as long as I am alive, I am going to be putting as much energy and effort as I know how into keeping my culture alive. I am culture. As long as I exist, it exists.”
Through writing and performing slam poetry — a form of poetry influenced by rap and hip-hop music culture typically performed before a live audience — Shuína Skó uses the English language to tell her tribe’s stories of trauma and resiliency.
The Pizen Switch Times
Remembrance Run Day 2: 25 Miles of Travel ~Honoring the Lives of 200 Children Buried at the DatSoLaLee Cemetery ~ Recognizing Emerging Leaders
The sun rose over those runners, walkers and support crew camped on Sunrise Pass: To the east lay Smith Valley and Mason Valley from where they’d come the day before; and to the West toward Carson Valley at the foot of the Sierras where they’d be travelling on this second day.
Sharing this journey had introduced new friends and cemented old friendships.
This Remembrance Run, hosted by 18 year old Kutoven Stevens, “for those who ran, those who survived and for those who did not make it home” was marked by reverence, understanding and hope: Reverence for those who suffered; Understanding of what 8 year old Frank ‘Togo’ Quinn went through to run 50 miles home to the arms of his loving family; and Hope that present and future generations embrace human rights & kindness for all peoples, all cultures.
The final rest stop at the 50 mile mark was near Stewart Indian School on a lot overlooking a meadow.
Two-spirit storyteller and poet Shuína Skó (meaning Singing Spring as named by her by tribal elders when she was 3 years old) from the Klamath Tribe ended the ceremonies with words and deliverance that touched the hearts of many.
Klamath Falls Herald and News
Community group holds rally for endangered C'waam and Koptu
“We are indigenous; My ancestors bones turned rich soil. I am seed, carrier of ancient songs stories ceremonies. I am sun of bright light, penetrating patriarchal darkness, healing energy to those with wilting leaves, and every morning I rise. Every morning we rise, we bring vibrant culture with us.” - Shuína Skó
This weekend marked the first Rally for the C’waam and Koptu in what nonprofit organization AMBODAT hopes will become an annual occurrence. A recent press release from the Klamath Tribes Administration announced the upcoming event. Hosted by the community group AMBODAT, the rally was on behalf of these two endemic species, in the pursuit of the restoration of their populations and their ecosystem.
Tribal Affairs - ORICWA August Bulletin
ICWA Warrior Spotlight: Shuína Skó
An ICWA Warrior is a Child Welfare staff member, Tribal partner and/or community partner who is a staunch advocate of ICWA/ORIWA and exemplifies the spirit of ICWA through their diligent work and practice. Congratulations to Shuína Skó – Kayce Womack & Geneia Maupin for being this month's ICWA Warriors.
Shuína Skó – is selfless in her service to Tribes, ODHS and families. She gives so much of herself through her art, words and lived experience and has an amazing gift for opening hearts and minds to the purpose of the ICWA. Kayce's passion, advocacy and genuine dedication radiate off her. She is a true champion for Tribal children and families. – Marty Schroeder, Regional ICWA Specialist Klamath & Lake Counties.
Klamath Alerts News
History and Poetry in Klamath
“A Poet’s Perspective: History and Poetry in the Klamath Basin”
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Poems that have been penned by writers with a strong connection to the Klamath Basin will be featured in a presentation at noon Friday, Feb. 2, at the Klamath County Museum.
“Many poets have lived in the Klamath Basin, and many poems have been written about the Klamath Basin,” said Katie Snow, registration technician for the museum and organizer of the program. “This presentation will highlight some of the more historically significant poems of the area.”
Friday’s presentation will include a reading of excerpts from poems written by O.C. Applegate, Laura Chiloquin, Dorothea E. McAnulty, Winfield H. Cahill, Geffrey Davis, W.B. Shea, Charlie Hurst, Muin Otokichi Ozaki, Violet Kazue de Cristoforo, Lawson Fusao Inada, Ron Crete, Shuina Sko, Donald Zane Underwood and Teresa Rennick.
For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.
Oregon Department of Education
American Indian/Alaska Native Education - Tribal Attendance Promising Practices (TAPP): 2023 TAPP Symposium
The Tribal Attendance Promising Practices Program held an end of year symposium for all TAPP Project Directors, Family advocates, Tribal Partners and esteemed guests. This event had the honor of hosting the Native Wellness Institute and Spoken Word Poet Shuina Sko who created a one of a kind poem you will find linked below. We would like to thank all who traveled near and far to attend the 2023 TAPP Symposium and we will be looking foward to hosting next years event! Please enjoy the photos taken from the symposium along with the Best Practices Slide show from our TAPP Family Advocates.
Sacred Instructions: A Two-Spirit Klamath tribal member connects with her voices and visions
The term “Two-Spirit” is a pan-Indian umbrella term, created in the 1990s to demarcate the wide variety of expressions of gender, sexuality, and identity found across different Indigenous tribes in so-called North America. Being two-spirited is not synonymous with being queer or trans; cultural expressions of what it means to be Two-Spirit vary widely between different tribes.
As a federally recognized tribe, the Klamath Tribes encompass three distinct Indigenous cultures: Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin-Paiute. In Klamath culture, where traditions can vary between individual families, there are multiple understandings of what it means to be two-spirited. In Klamath language, there are no distinct gender pronouns—the word “ké” means both he and she. Traditionally, Klamath people who had integrated their masculine and feminine might be described as “a balanced relative.”
…Shuína Skó, is an Indigenous rights activist and Two-Spirit poet and storyteller. In Klamath, Skó translates the term Two-Spirit as “laap steínash shû‘kla,” meaning “two souls mixing together.” A section of Skó’s website is dedicated to what it means to be Two-Spirit in Klamath culture.
“Two-Spirit people are highly valued in the tribe as they are seen as having special ability to view things from different perspectives and because of this are well balanced,” writes Skó. “This gift allows Two-Spirit people to be healers, leaders, and teachers.”
Oregon Humanities
Workshops
Workshops, presentations, and performances are provided virtually and in-person throughout the United States and Canada