Traditional Indigenous Tattoo Gathering

Screen Shot 2017-05-21 at 10.11.36 PMSEPTEMBER 29 & 30, 2017
Nimkii Aazhibikong (20 km North of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada)

Indigenous traditional tattooing is in the midst of a massive resurgence and is an important part of the overall revitalization, restoration and reclaimation movement of Indigenous Nations all across Turtle Island.

On September 29 & 30, 2017 we will gather some of North America’s most renown traditional Indigenous tattoo artists for a two day multi-nation Indigenous gathering that is open to the public to celebrate the resurgence of Indigenous tattoo practices.

For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples and Nations practiced the traditional art of tattooing, but because of genocide and influences of colonization, this practice as well as the practice of using traditional paint on our bodies, became severely diminished in the last 150 years or so until recently where there is a huge resurgence and revitalization movement happening among Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

Over the course of the two days we will explore symbolism, motifs, traditional tattooing techniques, mediums, tools, stories, traditional knowledge on usage, purpose, and historical information. Of vital importance to us is ensuring the protocols are in place regarding copyright, the protections for cultural knowledge and cultural protocols, and importantly discussions about appropriation.

Here is the growing list of our confirmed tattoo artists and knowledge holders so far for the Traditional Indigenous Tattoo Gathering.

Marjorie Tahbone (Inupiaq),
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Dion Kaszas(Nlaka’pamux),
Amy Malbeuf (Metis),
Jordan Bennett (Mi’kmaq)
Kanahus Manuel (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa),
Maanii Oak (Anishinaabe)
Jay Soule (Anishinaabe),
Kanenhariyo Seth LeFort (Haudenosaunee),
Dzoco Ñuhu (Zahuatlán, Oaxaca)
Ippiksaut Friesen (Inuk),
Celina Kalluk (Inuk),
Hovak Johnston (Inuk),
Te Rangitu Netana
As well as two of us from Onaman Collective,
Isaac Murdoch (Anishinaabe)
Christi Belcourt (Michif)

We are asking for donations from people who attend of $50 per person to cover food for the weekend, and an additional $100 per person if they are going to get a tattoo. If you are low on cash, then come anyway and don’t worry about it. We don’t care if you have money or not. We actually hate money. There are no fees and you don’t need money to attend at all. But if you are working and getting by okay, then maybe you would consider contributing a little more to help offset costs for the people who don’t have it right now.

If we pull together and each contribute what we can then it will be a great gathering.

No matter what, we will all eat really well, visit, laugh, learn, share, get inspired, and kick up our determination to lift up all our nations another notch.

If you can’t attend but want to help out. Here is the information for donations: You can donate directly to Onaman Collective via etransfer or PayPal to onamancollective@gmail.com and make the password “Onaman” . Or you can donate to our Go Fund Me account: https://www.gofundme.com/tattoogathering. We also accept cheques or money orders to Onaman Collective, P.O. Box 215, Cutler, ON, P0P 1B0.

Our gathering is being organized entirely by volunteers.

PLEASE HELP BY DONATING & SHARING THIS LINK: https://www.gofundme.com/tattoogathering