Kakiñiq: Inuit Tattoo

Traditional Inuit tattoos are done using a needle and thread.  Dipping the thread in ink made primarily of soot, the needle passes through the skin in a tight stitch to become a permanent mark of personal identity. Traditional tattoos were nearly lost due to the influence of early missionary teachings. Today our traditional tattos are coming back and they hold many purposes. They promote healing from inter-generational trauma, and can symbolize and dedicate the passage of important life events, such as tattoos on the chin to commemorate a girl’s entrance into womanhood.