Transformative Marks Podcast

063 A year after the last needle pass, what’s left is not just ink, it’s a new way of living inside your own skin. I’m back with Ecko Aleck, who returns to reflect on what it’s actually been like to live with a full bodysuit long after the swelling fades, including the moment the markings helped make it impossible to keep hiding and led her to come out publicly as Two-Spirit. We talk about the har...

062 A lot of people want ancestral tattoos but feel stuck on one brutal question: “Am I enough to wear them?” I sit down with Inuit hand poke tattoo artist Jessica Coffey to talk about the real, complicated middle ground between pride and doubt, revival and responsibility, beauty and protocol. What unfolds is a candid look at Indigenous tattooing as living community work, not a perfect script you...

061 A chin marking can be more than a design. Sometimes it becomes a vow you carry every time you look in the mirror. We sit down with Anishinaabe hand poke tattoo artist Gillian Prince (Waubanungohnse) to talk about Indigenous tattooing, ancestral skin marking, and how a practice becomes a way of living. Gillian shares how  tattooing entered their life young in a rough time, learning safety and t...

#060 The journey from addiction to wholeness often requires powerful medicine. For Nicholas Wawia, that medicine came in the form of ancestral skin marking – specifically, the forward-facing red lines across his face that remind him daily to "keep my sights forward" on the red road of sobriety. In this raw, heartfelt conversation with host Dion Kaszas, Nicholas shares how traditional tat...

#059 Anne Spice's journey into ancestral tattooing reveals a profound path toward healing that extends far beyond artistic expression. Beginning as casual practice at a land occupation, her work evolved when she returned to her Whitehorse community with a crucial shift in perspective—approaching people with service rather than extraction. "I went in thinking about how I could be of servi...

#058 Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Missy Mahan, an Indigenous tattoo artist with roots in the Tohono, O'odham, Yuchi, and Muscogee Nations. With over a decade in the tattoo industry, Missy has skillfully woven her cultural heritage into her art, co-owning Desert Bloom Tattoo in Phoenix, Arizona. Discover how Missy navigated the challenges of the pandemic with financial c...

#057 Imagine reclaiming lost traditions through the art of Indigenous tattooing. Mel, a two-spirit person of Red River, Michif, guides us through their transformative journeys of cultural reconnection. They share compelling stories about the resilience of Indigenous identities in the face of colonial challenges, drawing intriguing parallels between Indigenous and Irish histories. This episode prom...

# 056 Discover a new perspective on tattooing that beautifully intertwines cultural significance, safety, and spiritual healing. With insights from Indigenous artists like Ecko Alec and Jacqueline Merritt, this episode unveils the transformative potential of reclaiming ancestral skin marking practices while confronting personal biases. Listen as we promise to guide you through creating spaces infu...

#055 Crystal Kimewon's journey into Indigenous tattooing is nothing short of transformative and deeply inspiring. We explore how her dream of opening Intertribal Tattoos became a reality, fueled by a passion for healing and self-expression. Crystal opens up about her empowering path, from covering self-harm scars with tattoos to receiving her Anishinaabe spirit name, which fused her identity...

#054 What if reclaiming your cultural heritage could transform your identity, heal past traumas, and empower your future? That's the journey we're on as we conclude the first season of the Transformative Marks podcast. This episode brings together voices from across the globe, including insights from cultural tattoo practitioner Nahaan, who sheds light on the complexities of cultural app...

#053 What if tattoos could heal more than just the skin? Join us on Transformative Marks as we sit down with Chanton Hopkins, a gifted tattoo artist from the Stʼatʼimc people, to explore the profound cultural and personal significance behind his artistry. Chanton’s journey into tattooing is marked by his father's nostalgic, old-school tattoos and a compelling love for drawing that sparked at...

#052 Imagine rediscovering an ancestral tattooing tradition with no roadmap or mentor to guide you. That's the challenge I faced as a Hungarian, Métis and Nlaka'pamux tattoo artist, and it's the journey I share in this episode of Transformative Marks. Through a decolonial lens, I reflect on the struggles of reviving these practices in the aftermath of colonization and offer support...

#051 Discover the inspiring journey of Mo Naga as he leads a cultural renaissance, reviving Naga tattoo practices that echo his ancestors' stories. Mo takes us on his 15-year exploration to reclaim the lost tattoo heritage of the Naga tribe in Manipur. Witness how Mo navigates the complex landscape of cultural preservation, facing challenges like elder reluctance and societal displacement, al...

#050 Discover the artistry and resilience embedded in Indigenous tattooing as we celebrate the 50th episode of Transformative Marks Podcast. Join me, Dion Kaszas, along with insightful guests like the Maori practitioner Que Bidois, as we unravel the rich tapestry of ancestral skin markings. This episode promises to expand your understanding of how traditional tools and modern technology coalesce,...

#049 Have you ever wondered how language shapes our identity and helps heal personal trauma? Join us on an enlightening journey with our guest, Lena Nicholson, who has spent the last eight years deeply immersed in Nlaka'pamux language programs. Lena shares her personal story of growth and joy as she connects with elders, navigating the challenges adult learners face when trying to speak their...

#048 Unlock the transformative power of ancestral visual languages and discover how Indigenous tattooing can reconnect us to our roots. Join me, Dion Kaszas, on the Transformative Marks podcast as we explore the revitalization of cultural identity through the art of tattooing. This episode features the profound insights of Hacki Williams, a pioneer in Moko Maori tattoo revival, and delves into how...

#047 What if your skin could tell the story of your heritage, your journey, and your spiritual growth? Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of Indigenous tattoo practices with Dion Kaszas, a talented Hungarian, Métis, and Nlaka'pamux artist, and his Nlaka'pamux Blackwork collaborator, Jody McIvor. Witness firsthand how Jody's transformative experience with a hand-poke tattoo, ins...

#046 Unlock the secrets of ancestral visual languages and discover how these timeless practices can enrich your contemporary life. In this episode of Transformative Marks, I, Dion Kaszas, along with esteemed ancestral skin markers, cultural tattoo practitioners, Moko practitioners and Indigenous artists, guide you through the intricate journey of reviving ancestral tattooing traditions. Our conver...

#045 Simon Ross invites us into the vibrant world of Indigenous tattoo artistry, sharing his journey of cultural reconnection and storytelling through his tattoos. Discover how a chance encounter at a tattoo festival with Dion Kaszas, a Hungarian Métis and Nlaka'pamux tattoo artist, sparked a collaboration that went beyond mere body art. Their work is a testament to the deep personal and cult...

#044 Imagine a world where tattoos are not just skin deep but are powerful emblems of identity and cultural revival. Join me, Dion Kazas, as I share my journey in reviving ancestral skin marking practices that reconnect us with our heritage, alongside a fascinating conversations with Indigenous artist Tania Williard. Together, we navigate a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression, from the transfo...

#043 Greg Williams, a Haida tattoo artist, musician, and jewelry maker, takes us on a profound journey of healing and creativity in this episode. We explore how personal tragedy, such as the devastating loss of his daughter, led Greg through battles with substance abuse before finding redemption and purpose in art. His transformative experience in New Zealand, where a vibrant community rekindled h...

#042 What if the art of tattooing could reconnect us to our roots and transform our self-identity? Join me, Dion Kazas, as I welcome Kristine and Wes Wilson to discuss their involvement in the Nlaka'pamux Blackwork project and their personal journeys with Indigenous tattoos. Kristine talks about her significant role as a model and supporter in the Earthline Indigenous tattoo schools and how h...

#041 How does one become an ancestral tattoo artist in the modern world? Join us as we share the inspiring journey of Sheldon Louis, whose path to mastering traditional skin marking began with a chance encounter at UBC Okanagan. Despite hurdles like conflicting schedules and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheldon’s unwavering determination led him to a unique cohort where he honed his craft. Together, we...

#040 What if the act of tattooing could heal deeply internal wounds? Join us on The Transformative Marks Podcast as we uncover the profound power of Indigenous tattooing practices through our enlightening conversation with Megan Sams, a Mi'kmaq and Nlaka'pamux multi-talented artist, farmer, and beekeeper from Newfoundland. From Megan's first tribal tattoo in the 90s to her profoundl...

#039 What if the art on your skin could reconnect you with your heritage and tell a centuries-old story? Join us as we explore the powerful journey of Joseph Houia, an Indigenous tattoo artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Joseph's tale is one of passion, resilience, and cultural revival—starting from a simple school art project to becoming moko practitioner. He shares how Māori wood carving ha...