winkte

Winkte is a term from the Lakota language used to describe a gender-variant person who embodies a role outside the traditional male-female binary within certain Plains Indigenous communities. The word wíŋkte is often interpreted as "one who is transformed" and is commonly associated with gender expression and social identity that does not fit conventional masculine norms. While it is most closely linked to the Lakota, related concepts and terms exist among neighboring Sioux and Plains peoples, and the understanding of winkte has varied over time and by community.

Historically, winkte could hold recognized social and ceremonial roles, serving as ritual specialists, healers, mediators, or cultural teachers. Many winkte presented themselves in feminine dress or behavior and participated in relationships with men; the exact duties, status, and acceptance of winkte varied by tribe, era, and encroachment by European colonial forces. Some accounts describe winkte as respected figures within diplomacy, while others describe them as marginalized. The modern historical record contains diverse and sometimes biased sources, reflecting colonial attitudes as well as Indigenous voices.

In contemporary communities, some Two-Spirit people identify with winkte or with related Indigenous terms; however, identification is personal and not all Two-Spirit people use or accept the label. The term is part of a broader discourse on Indigenous gender diversity that is distinct from Western LGBTQ+ categories. Scholars and Indigenous communities emphasize respectful engagement, appropriate use of the term, and recognition of the cultural contexts in which winkte roles emerged.