Skindigenous

Pablo is part of the Huitoto tribe, one of the many Indigenous tribes that call the Amazon forest home. The Huitotos traditional land is around the Southern Colombian city of Leticia, bordering both Brazil and Peru. Although the Huitoto were traditionally hunter-gatherers, many of the remaining Huitoto people have adapted a westernized lifestyle. Pablo is trying to keep many of his culture's traditions alive, these include singing and dancing, hunting and fishing, basket weaving, cultivating and transforming coca leaves and body painting for special occasions.

The Wayuu are a proud and resilient tribe living in the semi-desertic peninsula of La Guajira, in Northeastern Colombia. As a matriarchal society, many of the traditions and customs of the Wayuu are preserved by and passed down from mother to daughter.

Elle Festin specializes in Filipino tribal designs. More than twenty years ago, he started to research on this tattoo culture because nothing was available is the US. More and more Filipinos around the world were interested in these ancient designs and this started the Mark of the Four Waves Tribe.

In the urban city of Gold Coast, Australia, there’s a solar powered and eco-conscious tattoo studio. This same building is the home of the Duley family. Turumakina has been part of the Māori ta moko for 26 years now and known for doing face tattoos. The couple has adopted a holistic approach of tattooing and Tu uses these sacred skin markings as a tool for healing the body, mind and spirit. Being in the country of aboriginal Australians, Tu will discover their art and share and compare his own indigenous knowledge.

World-renowned land defender Kanahus Manuel, of the Secwepmc Nation in British Columbia is revitalizing ancient tattoo practices that she believes represent thousands of years of her people’s ancient connection to the land.

Kanien'kehá:ka artist Keith Callihoo keeps his relationship to the land and to his ancestors’ stories from the Michel First Nation alive through his artwork and tattoo practice. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Keith is often found in his home studio where he practices his hand poke technique and experiments with tattoo colours on his own skin.

The Samson Cree Nation is one of four communities known collectively as Maskwacis in Central Alberta. It’s where Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe artist Heather Kiskihkoman grew up and still calls home. She finds her beadwork and tattoo design inspirations in the plants and nature surrounding her. Heather returned home where she joined the Earthline Tattoo Collective, a group dedicated to supporting cultural Indigenous tattoo practices in Canada and began her journey of skin-stitch and handpoke tattooing. As part of her journey, Heather is on her way to Edmonton for a sneak peek at some traditional tattooing tools at the Royal Alberta Museum. This is the first time that Heather has seen and held traditional tools and it reinforces her belief that she is on the right path...

Toby Sicks believes in his Metis heritage and Indigenous identity and his philosophy; his tattoos and his studio reflect just that. We meet a previous recipient of Toby’s tattoos, Kara Jade. Kara is an Indigenous rap artist from Toronto, and we hear from her perspective the need for Indigenous voices in the arts community. Kara has a tattoo of the well-known quote from Louis Riel “My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake it will be the artists that give them back their spirit.” She elaborates on her feelings and what she believes this quote means to the modern-day Indigenous community. Overcoming his addiction to become the hard working and outspoken Metis man he is today; Toby sets a great example for youth who may be enduring their own struggles and who may be trying to find their own voice in the world today.

Born and raised in Regina Saskatchewan, Stacey Fayant is a Metis and Cree tattoo artist who has found a way to give back to her urban Indigenous community by revitalizing the practice of skin stich and hand poke

Lianna Spence is a 38-year-old Tsimshian multi-talented artist from Prince Rupert, in Northwestern British Columbia. She was raised by her great grandparents in the nearby Tsimshian community of Lax Kw'alaams, formerly known as Port Simpson, in a home that did not have any Indigenous art. With the help of a series of mentors, she soon began wood carving, making ceremonial masks, carving jewelry, painting ceremonial paddles and of course, tattooing. This kind of detailed work is like a form of meditation for her as she delves into each activity with determination and drive.

Isaac Weber, a multidisciplinary artist who is both Créole from the Cape Verde Islands (West African Atlantic Islands) and Anishnawbek from Inlet First Nations, has recently taken up tattooing as a means to reconnect with his family and his community.

Danika Nacarrella is from the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, B.C. She was officially adopted into the Nation at birth, but she has been making her mark in the community by working with the youth as an educator, visual artist and tattoo artist.

With over 20 years of machine tattoo experience, Mi’kmaw mask carver Gordon Sparks is turning his skills to handpoke tattooing. His journey of reconnecting to his roots began with traditional mask carving. Taught by master carver Ned Bear, Gordon’s masks are bringing him across Miꞌgmaꞌgi, the traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq where he is learning and sharing stories with Mi’kmaq Elders and communities.