Indigenous Tattooing Action Held in Solidarity with Secwepemc Land Defenders
When: July 7 & July 8,
2018
Where: North Thompson provincial park, Unceded Secwepemc Territory
On July 7 th and 8 th of 2018 Indigenous cultural tattoo
practitioners, tattoo artists, land defenders and allies will gather
to practice the art of cultural tattooing. This tattooing action is
being held at this specific location to bring awareness to the
potential devastating results to the North Thompson River and all of
the waterways found within Secwepemcul’ecw along the proposed twining
of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. We are gathering in solidarity with
Secwepemc Land Defenders as they assert their sovereign title and
rights within Secwepemcul’ecw. Occupation, stewardship and
jurisdiction of this portion of the North Thompson River by Secwepemc
is verified by the largest known encampment in this area which
consisted of at least 37 pit-houses.
The practice of ancestral tattooing by Indigenous peoples today
is a powerful declaration of our continued existence, pride and
struggle. The wearing of our ancestral marks is an assertion of our
rights, responsibilities and relationship to the earth and all that
is. The moment we mark ourselves with designs inspired by our
ancestors we are taking a stand against the destructive, genocidal,
assimilative forces that have been enacted upon us by the government
of Canada.
We are asking for your support in our work to protect our lands,
our waterways, our rights and our continued existence as Secwepemc,
Nlaka’pamux, Indigenous peoples, and peoples of mother earth. This
struggle begins with Secwepemc sovereignty over Secwepemcul’ecw and
continues onto the collective struggle of humanity for the protection
of our right to fresh clear water, land to exist as peoples of the
earth, and our rights as human beings.
If you are a cultural tattoo practitioner or tattoo
artists committed to defending the land and water we ask for
your solidarity with us. You can show your solidarity for this
struggle through your attendance at this event and/or give and donate
here, or PayPal or EMT: kanahusmanuel@gmail.com
If you are an Indigenous artist or Individual committed to defending the land and water we ask for your solidarity with us. You can show your solidarity for this struggle through your attendance at this eventand/or give and donate here, or PayPal or EMT: kanahusmanuel@gmail.com
If you are a land defender or water protector we ask for your solidarity with us. You can show your solidarity for this struggle through your attendance at this event and/or give and donate here, or PayPal or EMT: kanahusmanuel@gmail.com
If you are an ally to this struggle we ask for
your solidarity with us. You can show your solidarity for this
struggle through your attendance at this event and/or give and donate
here, or PayPal or EMT: kanahusmanuel@gmail.com
We need your help with:
1. The sponsorship of our confirmed
cultural tattoo practitioners and tattoo
artists, elders and
knowledge keepers.
Airfare
Food
Accommodation
2. Food and food preparation
3. Tattooing
supplies
4. Event tents and chairs
The following Cultural Tattoo Practitioners and Tattoo Artists are Confirmed.
- Kanahus Manuel, Secwepemc / Ktunaxa <> Handpoke & Skin Stitch Tattoo
- Dion Kaszas, Nlaka’pamux <> Handpoke & Skin Stitch Tattoo
- Maanii Oakes, Swampy Cree Anishnabek <> Handpoke & Skin Stitch Tattoo
- Kanenhariyo LeFort, Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan <> Handpoke Tattoo
- Antonio Mejia, Raramuri/Xicano Nation, Los Angeles, California <> Handpoke Tattoo
- Xiucoatl Mejia, Raramuri/Xicano Nation, Los Angeles, California <> Handpoke Tattoo
If you would like to book an appointment with them please send a
message to them
directly.
