An aspect of identity

Travis Klemp (Métis) illustrates how “tattooing has been a prominent aspect of identity for many different Indigenous Peoples” since “long before European contact on Turtle Island” in his article: “Reconciliation Through Reclaimed Ink” (Destination Indigenous). 

According to Klemp, “for some Inuit communities in the North, an Inuk woman would receive tattoos from needles made from bone with either the hand-poking or skin stitching techniques” and they were a mark of a milestone; an arrival into womanhood or preparedness to become a mother” (Destination Indigenous). 

Indigenous tattooing practices today

Traditional tattoo artists like Arsaniq Deer (Inuk) are revitalizing the sacred practice of tattooing which is “anchored in the knowledge and the traditions of the elders” (CBC: Telling Our Story).  

Jana Angulalik (Inuit) proudly carries “on the tradition of wearing kakiniit, or traditional Inuit tattoos, across Inuit Nunangat” as she expresses in her article “Reclaiming agency: Reviving the once banned practice of traditional Inuit tattoos in Canada” (Arctic Focus).  Angulalik details the varying meanings and reasonings, like life events, milestones, or the passing of loved ones, behind Inuit ink, stating that curiosity is understandable, but people should “use caution and respect” when asking about someone’s tattoos (Arctic Focus). Better yet, it is important to acknowledge that the meaning of the tattoo, the experience behind it, and the “information belongs to the woman being tattooed, and it must be her choice to share or not” (Arctic Focus).