Ep 031 Healing Through Ink: Reconnecting Ancestral Tattoo Traditions Featuring Jacqueline Merritt

Can ancestral tattoos be a path to healing and reconnection? Join us as we uncover the powerful resurgence of Indigenous tattoo traditions with our esteemed guest from the Tsilhqotʼin nation. She takes us through her incredible journey of rediscovering her cultural heritage and the critical role tattoos play within her community. Hear about her great-grandfather's nearly lost legacy due to residential schools and her inspiring efforts to create safe spaces for youth to reconnect with their roots through cultural activities like hide tanning, hand drumming, and tattooing.

How do we transform tattooing from a mere practice into a meaningful ceremony? We'll discuss the profound shift from reactionary to intentional tattooing, emphasizing the importance of setting clear guidelines to foster genuine connections. Inspired by the impactful work of Jacqueline Merritt, our conversation delves into how boundaries can shape a respectful and enriching environment. We also spotlight broader cultural revitalization efforts, including the integration of traditional basket weaving designs into tattoo art and collaborations with cultural societies to preserve heritage.

What role does reciprocity play in cultural exchange? Explore the significance of traditional trades and bartering in preserving cultural practices, and how trading services like beadwork and traditional foods honor the spiritual nature of facial markings. Our guest shares the complexities and rewards of reconnecting with traditional tattoo practices amid the challenges posed by colonization and residential schools. Discover how communal gatherings and shared meals are fostering deeper connections and understanding within her community, revitalizing cultural identities one tattoo at a time.

You can find Jacqueline at:
Instagram @qwendetlig

Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas

Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks

I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts