Transformative Marks Podcast
A podcast that journeys through the world of Indigenous tattooing, amplifying the voices of ancestral skin markers, Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and those who wear the marks. Through a mix of interviews and solo shows, Dion Kaszas brings you the entertaining, challenging, and transformative stories behind every dot, line, and stitch. Embedded in each mark is a unique story that brings forward the reality of contemporary Indigenous peoples living a contemporary existence. Our Indigenous ancestors' struggle, pain, tears, resistance, and resilience are celebrated, honored, respected, and embedded underneath our skin. This podcast explores the stories, truths, and histories essential to us as Indigenous tattoo artists, cultural tattoo practitioners, and ancestral skin markers. These stories bring forward our ancestral visual languages and cultures' power, brilliance, and beauty. So that those coming after us are reminded of how amazing we are.
Dion and the Transformative Marks Podcast acknowledge the support of:
The Canada Council for the Arts
Episodes
67 episodes
The Red Road: How Traditional Tattoos Guide One Artist's Sobriety Journey with Nick Wawia
#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 "k...
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Episode 60
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1:15:58
From Frontlines to Skin Lines: Finding Balance Through Indigenous Tattooing with Anne Spice
#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 commu...
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Episode 59
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1:25:28
Reviving Ancestral Traditions: Indigenous Tattooing, Identity, and Modern Adaptations with Missy Mahan
#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...
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Episode 58
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1:03:25
Reclaiming Heritage and Identity: The Healing Power of Indigenous Tattooing with Mel Lefebvre
#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 re...
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Episode 57
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1:42:00
Creating Sacred Tattoo Spaces: Embracing Ancestral Practices and Cultivating Inclusivity with Dion Kaszas and Friends
# 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 transformativ...
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2:00:18
Transformative Tattoo Journeys: Healing, Identity, and Community Through Indigenous Markings with Crystal Kimewon
#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. Cry...
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Episode 55
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1:18:40
Inked Stories: Indigenous Sovereignty and the Power of Consent with Dion Kaszas and Friends
#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 toget...
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Episode 54
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2:06:18
Hybrid Northwest Coast Black and Grey Tattooing: Merging Fine and Formline with Chanton Hopkins
#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 hi...
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Episode 53
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1:11:17
Seeing with Ancestral Eyes: Reviving Indigenous Visual Languages Through Tattooing and Creativity with Dion Kaszas
#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...
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Episode 42
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41:10
Tattooing the Past into the Future: Mo Naga and the Revival of Naga Tattooing and the Resurgence of Tattoos of India
#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 ...
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Episode 51
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33:05
Indigenous Tattoo Artists, Ancestral Tools and Modern Rebirth: Picking the Right Tool with Dion Kaszas and Guests
#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 unrave...
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1:03:48
Cultural Connections and Language Revitalization: Embracing Identity Through Indigenous Practices with Lena Nicholson
#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....
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Episode 49
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35:07
Ancestral Artistry and Identity: Reconnecting Through Indigenous Tattoo Revival Dion Kaszas and Friends
#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 ident...
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Episode 48
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1:08:00
The Intersection of Tradition and Technology in Indigenous Tattoo Culture with Jody McIvor
#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,...
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Episode 47
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48:55
10 Tips: Indigenous Tattoo Revival and Cultural Reawakening with Dion Kaszas and Friends
#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 tat...
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Episode 46
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1:03:18
Cultural Reconnection Through Ink: Simon Ross and Indigenous Tattoo Storytelling
#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 Hungari...
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Episode 44
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1:01:41
Artistic Resurgence and the Power of Indigenous Marks: A Conversation with Tania Willard
#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, al...
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Episode 44
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1:22:08
Resilience Through Art: Greg Williams's Journey of Healing and Haida Tattoo Revival
#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 ba...
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Episode 43
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1:39:31
Cultural Symbols and Self-Discovery in Indigenous Tattoo Art with Kris and Wes Wilson
#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 jo...
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Episode 42
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1:02:06
Healing Through Heritage: Sheldon Louis on the Transformative Power of Traditional Tattoos
#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...
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Episode 41
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2:01:26
Sacred Marks: The Power of Indigenous Tattoo Medicine with Megan Samms
#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...
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Episode 40
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1:06:50
Celebrating Ancestry Through Tattoo Art: Joseph Houia's Path
#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...
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Episode 39
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1:00:39
Canoes, Culture, and Tattoos: Navigating Heritage with Stephen Recalma
#038 Transform your understanding of cultural heritage and personal growth through the lens of Indigenous tattooing. Join us as we feature Stephen Recalma and his journey with the Nlaka'pamux Blackwork Project. Stephen opens up about his journe...
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Episode 38
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1:03:04
Transformative Ink: Inclusive Tattoo Practices and Empowering Personal Identity with Nathaniel Hartley
#037 Join us for an enlightening conversation with my first non-Indigenous guest, Nathaniel Hartley, we explore unique perspectives on the transformative power of tattooing. Nathaniel opens up about his journey into the world of tattooing, addr...
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Episode 37
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1:02:08
Moko and Meaning: The Emotional and Cultural Significance of Maori Tattoos with Danny Lurman
#036 Discover the rich, transformative world of moko artistry with us as we sit down with a remarkable Maori practitioner, Danny Lurman. Journey with us through his evolution from a child passionate about drawing, to navigating the mainstream t...
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Episode 36
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51:51