Indigenous Tattoo Gathering to be held August 21-24 in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY – An Indigenous Tattoo gathering will be held in Tyendinaga from August 21st to 24th. The gathering is an opportunity for Onkwehon:we (Indigenous) tattoo practitioners to share knowledge and skills, and for those seeking traditional hand poke tattoos to receive them.
The event starts at 9am on Saturday, August 21st with a tattoo artist workshop on health and safety practices and a meeting and discussion about tattoo revitalization as healing medicine. Tattooing will take place all day and a social dance will be held in the evening. Singers and dancers are welcome.
On Sunday, Aug 22 tattooing will continue all day long and a traditional fire ball game will be held in the evening. Players are welcome for the game, but they must arrive before dark and be prepared with long sleeved shirts, pants and work gloves.
The all day tattooing continues on August 23rd with a feast and tattoo council meeting to be held in the evening. The event closes on August 24th with an evening music concert at the Regent Theatre in Picton. Musical artists are to be confirmed.
All Mohawk warriors are welcome at the event. Warriors of the represented nations of tattoo practitioners are welcome to attend as well. Warriors will be given tattoos at a special evening session for them. Women seeking face tattoos and any families seeking rights of passage tattoos for adolescents going through the rights of passage ceremonies should get in touch to plan details.
Those seeking medicine tattoos must make arrangements with the practitioner, and put up gifts and a small feast and tobacco. Some tattoo practitioners will only tattoo active front line land defenders and warriors and some will only do face tattoos.
The tattoo artists currently confirmed include: Kanahus Manuel, Kanenhariyo, Dion Kaszas, and Christie Belcourt. More artists will be announced in the coming days.
Rough camping is available for participants. There will be no drugs or alcohol at this family friendly event. Covid-19 protocols will be in effect. Donations of money, food, camping gear, and funds for airfare are welcome.
For more information, to send e-transfer donations, or to participate as an Indigenous tattoo practitioner contact Kanenhariyo at kanenhariyo@gmail.com or call 613-920-4771.
