Weaving Cherokee Identity and Heritage Through Tattooing with Natalie Standingcloud
Explicit content warning
01/23/24 • 71 min
#005 When Natalie Standingcloud etches stories into skin, each line is more than art—it's heritage, history, and identity. Today, she grants us a glimpse into her world, where tattoos are a canvas for the Salish and Cherokee stories that run as deep as the ink. As Natalie weaves her personal tale, we travel the threads of her cultural tapestry, learning how a single tattoo can mark the beginning of a woman's journey, serve as an emblem of indomitable spirit, and bind her to the roots that hold her steadfast against the winds of time.
Embark on an emotional ride with us as Natalie recounts the sweat and tears of the Remember the Removal Bike Ride, where the asphalt miles under her wheels brought her face to face with the legacy of the Trail of Tears. Her voice carries the weight of generations, each word a step closer to understanding what it means to be Cherokee in heart and in spirit. As we traverse the realms of acting and comedy with Natalie's experiences, from community theater's embrace to the spotlight with the 1491s and "Reservation Dogs," we see the mosaic of humor and drama that shapes Native American identity today.
Natalie's narrative doesn't end at the edge of the stage; it extends to the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, where her strides echo the pride of Cherokee artists. Her journey of self-discovery, which challenges the notion that one must excel in a singular creative field, paints a portrait of a woman whose essence is mirrored in every facet of her work. Join us as Natalie Standingcloud shares a masterclass not just on Indigenous tattooing, but on living a life where every mark, every role, and every walk is a testament to the enduring stories of her ancestors.
Check out Nathalie's work at:
Instagram @nattatt8
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#005 When Natalie Standingcloud etches stories into skin, each line is more than art—it's heritage, history, and identity. Today, she grants us a glimpse into her world, where tattoos are a canvas for the Salish and Cherokee stories that run as deep as the ink. As Natalie weaves her personal tale, we travel the threads of her cultural tapestry, learning how a single tattoo can mark the beginning of a woman's journey, serve as an emblem of indomitable spirit, and bind her to the roots that hold her steadfast against the winds of time.
Embark on an emotional ride with us as Natalie recounts the sweat and tears of the Remember the Removal Bike Ride, where the asphalt miles under her wheels brought her face to face with the legacy of the Trail of Tears. Her voice carries the weight of generations, each word a step closer to understanding what it means to be Cherokee in heart and in spirit. As we traverse the realms of acting and comedy with Natalie's experiences, from community theater's embrace to the spotlight with the 1491s and "Reservation Dogs," we see the mosaic of humor and drama that shapes Native American identity today.
Natalie's narrative doesn't end at the edge of the stage; it extends to the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, where her strides echo the pride of Cherokee artists. Her journey of self-discovery, which challenges the notion that one must excel in a singular creative field, paints a portrait of a woman whose essence is mirrored in every facet of her work. Join us as Natalie Standingcloud shares a masterclass not just on Indigenous tattooing, but on living a life where every mark, every role, and every walk is a testament to the enduring stories of her ancestors.
Check out Nathalie's work at:
Instagram @nattatt8
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
Previous Episode
From Athletic Dreams to Indigenous Ink: Nolan's Story of Resilience and Tattoo Artistry
#004 When life throws a curveball, it's the resilience within us that crafts our most profound stories. Join me as I sit down with Nolan, a Beauval-born tattoo artist, whose life took an unexpected turn from aspiring athlete to a master of ink and culture. His narrative is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength that emerges from the ashes of shattered dreams, amplified through the deep connections between his art and Indigenous heritage. In our conversation, Nolan opens up about the car accident that rerouted his destiny and the pivotal role of a friend who saw his unmined potential, setting him on the path to tattoo artistry.
Embarking on a journey toward self-discovery isn't without its hurdles. Nolan's candid tales of growth, from the initial hesitance to embrace a new identity to the eventual fusion of personal and cultural expression in his tattoo work, are nothing short of inspiring. He highlights the importance of evolving artistically, taking risks, and the intrinsic value of incorporating indigenous narratives into his designs. This episode peels back the layers of Nolan's artistic metamorphosis, celebrating his bold leap from the safety net of a teaching career to the creative freedoms of tattooing full-time.
The power of storytelling in our episode does not end with Nolan's transformative experiences. It extends to the communal journey of resilience, the emotional depth of ancestral tattooing, and the profound impact of setting boundaries. We traverse through powerful moments at an Indigenous tattoo gathering and the soulful connections that can only be forged through shared heritage and art. As we wrap up our time together, we leave you with a sense of anticipation for what's to come, including an upcoming conversation with Natalie Standingcloud, another remarkable artist whose journey is bound to captivate and inspire.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work.
Check out Nolan's work at:
Instagram @malbeuf
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
Next Episode
Ink and Identity: Unearthing the Resonance of Indigenous Tattoo Narratives with Gordon Sparks
#006 Embark with me, Dion Kaszas, and the inimitable Gordon Sparks, as we weave a narrative tapestry that spans the personal and the cultural, the ancestral and the contemporary. This episode is a journey through the soulful terrain of Indigenous tattoo practices, where each inked line and curve is a homage to the stories that define us. Gordon, hailing from Pabineau First Nation, brings his rich cultural lineage to the forefront, illustrating how intuition and storytelling are not just facets of his work but the heartbeat of his identity as a tattoo artist.
Our conversation traverses the sacred landscapes of Mi'kmaq teachings, Gord's reconnection with his roots through sculpting and mask-making, and the broader struggles of reclaiming cultural identity in a world that often seems to have forgotten the past. We share the transformative potential found within ancestral wisdom, and how the simple, yet profound acts like participating in sweat lodges and talking circles, can offer solace and understanding in our communities. Every tattoo, every carved line in wood is a testament to the journey—one of healing, of discovery, and of paying homage to the elders who guide us still.
Through these stories, we shine a light on the power of visual language in Indigenous art, as it intertwines with our identities and the natural world we are a part of. We discuss the evolution of tattooing from its rudimentary beginnings to the profound tool it is today—a medium through which we chronicle our tales and honor the teachings of the land. Join us as we explore the importance of mentorship, the resonance of mask medicine, and the encounters that inspire a deeper appreciation of our heritage. This episode isn't just a conversation; it's an invitation to witness the profound connection we share with the earth and each other, through the art that narrates our existence.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode, and I am excited to travel the world of Indigenous tattooing with you as we visit with friends and colleagues from across the globe doing the work.
Check out Gordon's work at:
Instagram @gordonsparkstattoos
Check out my tattoo work at:
https://www.consumedbyink.com
Instagram @dionkaszas
Buy me a Coffee at:
https://ko-fi.com/transformativemarks
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
Transformative Marks Podcast - Weaving Cherokee Identity and Heritage Through Tattooing with Natalie Standingcloud
Transcript
And since we were moved to Oklahoma and we're here now , people forget that history and they get us mixed up with the pan-Indianism stuff and they think that Dreamcatchers and TPs and Feathered Headdresses are Cherokee , which they are native but , they're not ours , you know . I mean , we come from mound builders and Southeastern people and it looks pretty different , looks very dif
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