Chrystos (; born November 7, 1946, as Christina Smith) is a two-spirit writer and activist whose work explores Native American civil rights, social justice, and feminism. They are of mixed Menominee–Lithuanian/Alsace–Lorraine heritage. Chrystos is also a lecturer, writing teacher, and artist.
Life
Chrystos was born off-reservation in San Francisco, California, was taught to read by their self-educated father, and began writing poetry at age nine. Chrystos had a difficult childhood, including being sexually abused by a relative.
Chrystos is a lesbian and two-spirit. They moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1980. and more positively influenced by the works of Audre Lorde, Joy Harjo, Elizabeth Woody, and Lillian Pitt, among others. They produced a series of volumes of poetry and prose throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Chrystos' work focuses on social justice issues, such as how colonialism and racism affect the lives of women, lesbians, and Indigenous people. Their works are primarily intended for an audience of Indigenous people, other people of color, and lesbians. Their works are also intended to help Native Americans connect with their heritage and to break down stereotypes. Scholar Sandra M. Cox describes Chrystos' work as a form of autoethnography.
While they're better known for their poems about social justice, Chrystos also has a significant body of erotic poetry.
Activism
Chrystos was part of efforts to free Norma Jean Croy and Leonard Peltier, and their activism often focuses on the rights of Native American peoples including the Navajo and Mohawk people.