On Location: Ancestral Ink PART I - Symposium Honoring Indigenous Tattoo Traditions

Ancestral Ink: A Symposium Honoring Indigenous Tattoo Traditions brought together Indigenous tattoo practitioners and cultural bearers from the Pacific and North America who are the forerunners in the revival of traditional cultural practises and celebrated the resurgence and resilience of Indigenous peoples and traditional tattooing practices. Ancestral Ink is produced collaboratively by Kua’aina Associates and Broken Boxes Podcast, and was hosted and supported by the Santa Fe Art Institute.In this first part of rebroadcasting the symposium, we hear a brief introductions and cultural bearer L Frank Manriquez (Tongva-Acjachemen) introduces tattoo practitioner Dion Kaszas, Nlaka’pamux or Thomposon Indian from British Columbia, Canada, followed by Te Rangitu Netana of the Ngapuhi, Ngati Wai & Te Arawa tribes of Aotearoa. More information/show notes:Ancestral Ink, a Symposium Honoring Indigenous Tattoo Traditions took place on Tewa/Tewa ancestral lands of what is now known as Santa Fe New Mexico on August 18th 2019. This Symposium brought together Indigenous tattoo practitioners and cultural bearers from the Pacific and North America who are the forerunners in the revival of traditional, cultural tattoo practises, This event provided space and time for an informative, engaging and inspiring forum that celebrated the resurgence and resilience of Indigenous peoples and traditional tattooing practices. Please visit our website at www.brokenboxespodcast.com to learn more about the full program, listen to the first part, and read about each featured tattoo practitioner and cultural bearer you will hear from on this broadcast. Tattoo practitioners featured in this episode:Dion Kaszas is a Nlaka’pamux or Thomposon Indian from British Columbia, Canada. Since 2012 Dion has been engaged in the revival of his ancestors tattooing practices and assists in the revival of other nations tattooing traditions as a co-founder of the Earthline Tattoo Collective and Training Residency. Dion specializes in neo-tribal, dot work, black work and ornamental tattooing with a special emphasis on traditional hand tattooing techniques. These include hand poke and skin stitch-tattooing methods, which arise from his culture. Dion is regarded as one of the leaders of the revival of Indiengous tattooing in Canada. Te Rangitu Netana is an internationally acclaimed practitioner of Traditional Ta Moko or Maori Tattoo, and an artist is from Aotearoa or New Zealand of the Ngapuhi, Ngati Wai and Te Arawa tribal descent. Te Rangitu has been practicing Ta Moko for over 28 years and weaves the wearer's story into his designs, leaving them with a piece of artwork on their skin that reflects their own beliefs and spirituality. He is dedicated to the message of Ta Moko and ensures he respects the sacred ceremony of the practice on every subject he tattoos. Te Rangitu has travelled extensively throughout his career sharing his culture and traditions and working alongside tattoo masters from other indigenous cultures. Te Rangitu currently lives and works in the UK. Learn more about the full program here: http://www.brokenboxespodcast.com/podcast/2019/6/29/ancestral-ink-a-symposium-honoring-indigenous-tattoo-traditions