Indigenous artists revitalize ancestral tattooing traditions

Missy Mahan, a Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen, is helping reclaim ancestral tattooing practices among Indigenous communities in the United States.

After discovering historical illustrations of Yuchi markings, Mahan began researching how her ancestors used facial markings and dotwork. These practices were often disrupted by colonization, and Mahan now works to preserve their cultural significance for future generations. Mahan works with clients in Phoenix, Arizona, to create individualized designs inspired by these traditions rather than copying historical images directly.

She emphasizes the importance of gathering knowledge from elders to fill gaps in written records. Similarly, Kii Johnson, a Two-Spirit Mvskoke and Cheyenne-Arapaho artist in Tulsa, treats ancestral marking as a form of medicine. Johnson uses hand-poke techniques and incorporates ceremonial elements like prayer and medicine burning into the process. Both artists view their work as a way to provide spiritual and emotional healing.

Johnson often accepts gifts like food or blankets instead of money to focus on the recipient's personal connection to their heritage. To support this movement, Mahan organized the Gathering of Ink in Oklahoma City, a convention that brought Indigenous artists together to share knowledge and connect with the community. These artists aim to ensure that younger generations can access the cultural protocols and history needed to maintain these lineages.