Join Dion Kaszas, the artist and curator of True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices, as he moderates a panel discussion with the artists from the exhibition.

The panel will delve into the process of creating the exhibition and explore the resurgence of Indigenous tattoo practices. Hear firsthand from the artists about their journeys reconnecting with traditional skin marking techniques, reinterpreting ancestral designs and meanings, and reviving traditional application methods. This discussion is part of a broader conversation about Indigenous peoples' efforts to reclaim their lands, cultures and identities. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with the voices at the forefront of this cultural renaissance.

This event will be hosted online.

Date: June 27, 2024
Time: 5:00pm

Tickets: Free, but registration is required.


This event has now finished, but you can watch a recording of it below.

For general inquiries regarding this event, please contact the Programming Department here.


Moderator

Dion Kaszas is a Hungarian, Métis and Nlaka’pamux ancestral skin marker, podcaster and born-again Coyote. He has been at the forefront of reviving Indigenous tattooing in Canada—training, mentoring, and teaching the next wave of Indigenous revivalists. He specializes in large scale blackwork projects inspired by his ancestral visual language.

Panelists

Nathalie Standingcloud, a natural-born artist from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, creates captivating art that tells stories and celebrates her native heritage. Inspired by her Cherokee, Creek and Salish tribes, she incorporates plants, animals and Indigenous motifs into her designs. With mediums ranging from digital art to painting, Nathalie's artwork has been featured on posters, shirts, billboards, logos and large-scale murals. In 2018, Nathalie completed her apprenticeship and became a licensed tattoo artist, using her unique talent to connect with her community. Her meaningful tattoo designs not only adorn her clients' skin but also serve as bridges, linking them to their personal stories and cultural backgrounds.

Nolan Malbeuf was born and raised in northern Saskatchewan and is the second of five children. He comes from a very close-knit family. Nolan learned the value of hard work and kinship early in life. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree in 2007 and taught for 15 years. He’s been tattooing since 2011.

Nolan retired from teaching in 2021 to pursue tattooing full time. Since then he’s put all his energy into developing his craft. His work is largely influenced by his experiences on this earth. Nolan’s work is bold with large grouping liners and a variety of contrasting colours. He uses Mētis style beadwork and bones to explore the relationship between life and death—the relationship between adversity and overcoming. He aims to portray the beauty, resiliency, perseverance and strength that is embodied in nature and in his culture and people.

Tristen Jenni Sanderson is an Indigenous artist working in Edmonton, Alberta, but is from Chakastaypasin First nation, located in Saskatchewan. They are Plains and Woodland Cree and their mother was from Northern Saskatchewan peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Art has always been a huge part of Tristen’s life, helping their father make regalia, watching their mother bead, and Kookum make star blankets.

Tristen uses many different mediums, including clay, sketching, water colour-painting, carving, beading, acrylics, tattooing and more. They explore as many different mediums as possible but specializes in portrait work and tattooing, They find it empowering to find a new medium to excel with every opportunity.