The meaning in the ink ... · Inspiring Speakers (Free)

The meaning in the ink ...

The following is the September 27th entry from my first book, Honorary Indian Decolonized, available on Amazon. I am sharing here just in case any of you have been curious about my tattoo ...

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Often I am asked to explain the significance of my bicep tattoo (the one that would eventually become the logo for my company, the logo on the very binding of this book), so to honour my ‘tat’ and all those that mean the world to me, here is the story of my tattoo …

Christians have baptisms. Anishinaabe have naming ceremonies. Our spirit names, given by an Elder after prayer and ceremony, always have some tie to nature.

My name is Mishkopaganakwe, Red Thunderbolt Woman. I am said to be the human manifestation of that split second in time when the thunder sounds just as the lightning strikes. Occurring together, they signify the storm is directly overhead. For those who know me, they know I am dramatic, bright, and I would hope as memorable as the event that is my namesake.

The red thunderbolt is the largest part of my tattoo.

Further, I am of the Loon clan. Similar to the horoscopes of the white world, each clan has a different role in the community to ensure its success. The loons are said to be the speakers, the politicians of the community … enough said for those who know me.

In the middle of the thunderbolt, my tat shows a loon taking flight. Contrary to the many images and statues that have a loon sitting passively on a lake, I am known for movement, therefore … takeoff.

Next, in Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) culture, as in many other Native cultures, the eagle feather is one of our most sacred items and receiving an eagle feather is recognized as one of the highest honours. If you look closely at my ‘tat’, at the top, in the direction of North (the land of the Elders) are two small falling feathers. Falling because they represent my parents, who are both deceased; small, not to imply my parents were insignificant, but rather to represent the distance to spirit world. My ‘tat’ shows the simple fact that my parents are always with me.

To the south, the land of the youth, there are two strong feathers representing my children, and to the side, one small fallen feather to represent the daughter I lost to SIDS.

On each side of the ‘tat’, you see four beads representing the colours of man, as reflected in our teachings - black, red, white, and yellow. It is said that when the colours come together and share their teachings, then and only then does the world come together. That is my work - my destiny.

Finally, when my Mother was alive, she constantly reminded me to simply be ME, no matter where I stood or who I stood beside. Further, she was constantly reminding me that I am much stronger than I realize. She isn’t here to remind me anymore, so I placed my ‘tat’ on my bicep to remind me of my strength and made it HUGE, so it is almost physically impossible to hide who I am ever again.

My ‘tat’ was an integral part of my healing after the passing of my Mother. Some scoff at the fact that I have a tattoo … until they hear its story, then they simply say, “That’s beautiful” and smile from the soul.

And so do I, each time I catch a glimpse in a mirror.

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