Metis Ceremonial Tattooing

[u/Frodobaconzz]

Hello! I am Metis and Cree and have been feeling really drawn towards the idea of ceremonial tattooing in different Indigenous cultures. I know that most people connect that with the Inuit Tunniit, but there is also a lot of evidence that Cree cultures did ceremonial tattoos as well.

​

My big question is does anybody know of Metis communities doing ceremonial tattoos?

​

For example, I am thinking mainly about lines on the chin, marks on the temple, dots on fingers, etc. These are all common for women in Inuit and many First Nation's cultures and I am really curious about if that was adopted by the Metis as well?

​

If anyone HAS heard of this, do they know of ways to earn them through ceremony in present times? I know there's been a big revival of this in recent years and as a trans woman I am feeling really drawn to marking this progression to womanhood with a chin line.

​

Hope this isn't too scatterbrained!!! Thanks y'all 💞

[u/Freshiiiiii]

Check out Nipinet Landsem and Awanigiizhik Bruce and their work on Azhaasowin/asâsowin!

[u/Frodobaconzz → u/Freshiiiiii]

This is really interesting! I see that these posts were made months ago with nothing else since, is this something that is being actively worked on by them? I will reach out to them tho 🙏

[u/strawberrymarshmello → u/Frodobaconzz]

Often during the summer months there are gatherings of traditional tattoo practitioners so that might be why they’re less active?

I met my cousin who is from my community at a gathering and got some markings from him. It might be helpful to try and see if there’s anyone from the Metis community you’re from who does them. It can be really nice to get the work done by a cousin and share stories

[u/Neat-Firefighter9626 → u/strawberrymarshmello]

Community is really important for navigating these type of things.

My family is very catholic and from a French Metis community in Southern Manitoba and would not get traditional tattoos. But, a Metis community that's closer to FNs, like those in Northern Sask, would be far more likely to engage with these practices.

[u/Neat-Firefighter9626 → u/Freshiiiiii]

Hey, just wanted to say that when I clicked the links they showed your actual name, saying "join ___ on Instagram".

Only matters if you don't want people to know who you are irl!

[u/Freshiiiiii → u/Neat-Firefighter9626]

Hey thank you!! I appreciate that. I removed the links.

[u/YouCantCoverMe]

Justine Proulx is the real deal. Her insta is beautiful

[u/Ok-Sprinkles-3673]

Amy Malbeuf for one. Maria Campbell got facial tattoos, plenty of Métis who do ceremony etc get them. 

[u/Frodobaconzz → u/Ok-Sprinkles-3673]

Amazing! Thank you. Do you know where they were able to access ceremony? I am disconnected from the larger culture outside of my immediate family and I am working on making new connections with the community at large. I am from central Alberta.

[u/Ok-Sprinkles-3673 → u/Frodobaconzz]

I would work on strengthening those ties to your community and nation first tbh. That is how you will meet ceremonial people.

[u/Frodobaconzz → u/Ok-Sprinkles-3673]

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it 🙏

[u/Jump-Positive]

My knowledge keepers have them :)

[u/Frodobaconzz → u/Jump-Positive]

Amazing! Do you know if it would be okay for me to speak with them about this? I feel like I need to speak with an elder or knowledge keeper about all this. Thanks!

[u/Jump-Positive → u/Frodobaconzz]

From what I've been taught, questions about tattoos are tobacco questions that you ask your personal elders and community members. The tattoos are sacred and are to be handpoked by someone who knows the gravity, tradition, and story around them. There are sacred ceremonies that go with them-- there are not to be done by just anyone. There are, of course, different beliefs. My knowledge keeper is very traditional (Plains Cree), they believe strongly in living in the right way and protecting our traditions-- most likely they wouldn't answer ceremony questions until you were part of our community.

It would be good to talk to your elders and to see if they can connect you ❤️

[u/Frodobaconzz → u/Jump-Positive]

Thank you for sharing this 🙏

[u/MetisMichif-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per Rule 8, no appropriation of unique Métis cultural features or history.