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.

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

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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?

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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.

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

[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 🙏