Ep 015 Tattoo as Medicine: Stacy Fayant Cultural Revival and Healing Through Ancestral Tattooing

When Stacy Fayant, a Métis and Cree member of the Peepeekisis First Nation, began to etch her pain and heritage into her skin, she tapped into an ancient well of healing and expression. Our latest episode takes you through her extraordinary transition from harboring inner turmoil to becoming a beacon of cultural revival through ancestral skin marking. Stacy's narrative is not just about ink under the skin; it's a testimony to the profound ways traditional tattoo practices can unite communities, serve as medicine, and rekindle a sense of identity on Turtle Island.

This conversation is a raw and honest look at the pain that precedes personal growth. Stacy speaks to the cathartic role that body modifications, like ear stretching, played in her journey through grief and the resilience needed to navigate life's trials. Her story with Earthline Tattoo Collective underscores the importance of high health standards and training in the tattoo industry and their ability to command respect, even from skeptics. Her insights shed light on the delicate ethics of care that tattooing demands, ensuring that the art form is both safe and empowering, particularly for Indigenous women.

Our episode wraps with the vibrant hues of artistic growth and the celebration of Indigenous joy. Stacy illustrates how her artistry has evolved, guided by the narratives of her life, including motherhood and the process of healing from loss. She emphasizes the significance of tattoos and scars as indelible chapters of our stories and the importance of embracing body art without succumbing to societal pressures. As we close, we extend a heartfelt invitation to our listeners to join us in spreading love and support, sharing these stories that bridge past and present, as we envision an empathetic future together.

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.

You can find Stacey at:
Instagram @staceyfayant

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