A Tribute to Marlon Fixico Blackkettle (Vo’ev aht oes estes)

By Rick Haverkate and Misty Garcia-Sandoval

Our Two-Spirit – and Indigenous community in general – is saddened to learn that the Creator called Marlon Fixico Blackkettle (Vo’ev aht oes estes) onto his next journey. We learned much from Marlon; his words of wisdom, compassion, and love have reached many people, especially our Two-Spirit relatives. 

Misty Garcia-Sandoval left Marlon a beautiful tribute and talked about Marlon’s burden of masking himself all through his life until he finally came out to his family and friends. Marlon used his story to tell others they are loved regardless and that identifying with the Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ community doesn’t make one any less human.

During one of their last conversations on a work trip in Nashville last week, Marlon asked Misty and Mattee Jim, ”what does love mean to you?” Misty replied, “I think it’s when you and another individual stick together and work things out regardless of how tough things get.” “On the other hand,” Marlon said, “I think love can be painful.”

Indeed it is, you lose a loved one, but you then remember all the good they have done in your life.

I want to say that Marlon’s passing left many wounded and shocked, but we can cherish the gifts he left for us. Let’s keep his wisdom and teachings close to our hearts forever and promise to pass them on to the future.

One of those timeless gifts is a podcast Marlon recorded with us last year as part of our Two-Spirit Talks, funded by the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund and the Indian Health Service.

In this podcast episode, Marlon reminisces about his journey from a childhood shaped by his elders and by love to his first Two-Spirit gathering. He describes his work to preserve Cheyenne Hēē măn ĕh stories and advocate for the Two-Spirit people. “I’m trying to stand up,” he says of that work. “I encourage everyone to stand up. All are welcome. All are sacred.” He describes the importance of Two-Spirit traditions and the promise of new Two-Spirit ceremonies, envisioning a future celebration for all Two-Spirit people—a Two-Spirit Renaissance. Finally, he reminds us that “everything we do is about taking care of our people” and that “a Two-Spirit person is someone who contributes to their community.”

As we work toward the future he envisioned, Marlon’s wisdom and contribution will be long remembered, and he will be greatly missed.

Listen to Marlon’s podcast episode below: