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
52 episodes
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
Sacred Markings: Cody Tolmie on Indigenous Tattoo Art, Healing, and Visual Sovereignty
#035 Can tattoos be more than just body art? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Cody Tolmie, who shares his deep connection to Indigenous tattoo artistry and cultural practices. From his involvement in the Nlaka'pamux Blackwork projec...
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Episode 35
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1:08:45
Breaking Barriers: Zack Orchard's Indigenous Tattoo Journey
#034 Is the tattoo industry keeping its doors closed to diversity, or is it undergoing a vital transformation? Join me, Dion Kaszas, as I converse with Zack Orchard, an Indigenous tattoo artist who has spent the past 12 years carving his path i...
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Episode 34
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1:28:20
Cultural Legacy in Ink: The Revival and Evolution of Tā Moko with Haki Williams
#033 Can a tattoo be more than just ink on skin? On this episode of Transformative Marks, host Dion Kazas and guest Haki Williams explore the deeply spiritual and cultural significance of Indigenous tattooing. Haki, a seasoned cultural tattoo p...
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Episode 33
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56:56
Ink and Resilience: Aprilraine Landry's Journey from Zebra Skin to Harm None Tattoos
#032 What happens when a tattoo artist decides to close her long-standing shop and embark on a new venture with her best friend? Aprilraine Landry shares her emotional journey from the closure of Zebra Skin to the creation of Harm None Tattoos ...
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Episode 32
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1:20:33
Healing Through Ink: Reconnecting with Ancestral Tattoo Traditions Featuring Jacqueline Merritt
#031 Can ancestral tattoos be a path to healing and reconnection? Join us as we uncover the powerful resurgence of Indigenous tattoo traditions with our esteemed guest from the Tsilhqotʼin nation. She takes us through her incredible journey of ...
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Episode 31
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1:14:30
Skin Deep Resilience: The Revival of Indigenous Tattoo Art as Personal Empowerment with Amanda Joe
#030 Embark with us on an exploration of self-discovery and cultural reclamation, where the ancient art of Indigenous tattooing becomes a pathway to healing. The echoes of ancestral resilience resonate deeply in this episode, as we are joined b...
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Episode 30
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49:34
Tattoos and Traditions: Audie Murray's Artistic Exploration
#029 Ever wondered about the deep-rooted cultural significance behind Indigenous tattoos? Join us as we sit down with Audie Murray, a gifted Métis visual artist and traditional tattoo practitioner, who takes us on a journey through her personal...
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Episode 29
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1:17:47
From Trauma to Triumph: The Transformative Art of Indigenous Tattoo Medicine Featuring Billie Jean Gabriel
#028 What if tattoos could be a pathway to reclaiming your heritage and healing deep-seated trauma? On this episode of Transformative Marks, we sit down with the talented Billie Jean Gabriel, a Syilx Okanagan woman whose journey from her first ...
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Episode 28
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1:17:47
Cultural Revival Through Ink: The Transformative Journey of Indigenous Tattoo Artists and Their Communities Featuring Julious Mora
#027 Join us as we unravel the rich tapestry of Indigenous tattooing practices and their contemporary revival. This episode kicks off with an intimate conversation with Julious Mora, who transitioned from the rugged Australian mines to the spir...
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Episode 27
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1:04:20
Ink of Ancestry: A Journey of Healing and Cultural Revival with An Indigenous Tattoo Artist Makwa Mashkiki
#026 Can tattoos be more than just art on the skin? Join us as we explore this profound question with our guest, an Indigenous tattoo artist, who takes us on a journey through the emotional and spiritual depths of traditional skin marking. Disc...
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Episode 26
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1:03:36
Inked Legacy: Kanenhariyo LeFort on Reviving Indigenous Traditions and Reclaiming Identity Through Tattoo Artistry
#025 When Kanenhariyo, a Mohawk Bear Clan member, speaks of tattooing, it's an evocation of lost traditions, a healing touch on past traumas, and a bold declaration of identity. Our latest episode stitches together the threads of his story, as ...
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Episode 25
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1:37:54
Artistic Evolution: The Story of Sarah Kane's Cultural Tattoo Fusion
#024 Embark on a profound journey with me, Dion Kazas, as I sit down with the multi-talented Sarah Kane, whose artistry in tattooing weaves together the rich tapestry of her Filipino heritage with the influential culture of Te Reo Māori. Togeth...
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Episode 24
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58:14
The Odyssey of Tattoo Artistry and Identity with Romeo Reyes
#023 When Romeo Reyes first gripped a tattoo machine, gifted to him one Christmas, little did he know it would be the catalyst that transformed his life and those of countless others. Join us as Romeo shares his enthralling journey from sex sho...
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Episode 23
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2:16:37
Inked Harmonies: Naomi King's Tapestry of Tattoo Artistry and Cultural Symphony
#022 Embark on a journey with the multitalented Naomi King, as they unfold their story of entering the tattoo world through an unconventional apprenticeship and the touch of sacred batok on their skin. Our conversation stitches together the int...
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1:43:37
Needles and Heritage: Weaving Indigenous Culture into Modern Tattoo Practices with Paul McKenzie
#021 As the buzz of the tattoo machine hums in the background, our studio comes alive with the incredible story of Paul McKenzie, a Wet'suwet'en tattoo artist whose skills tell a tale as rich as his heritage. The artistry of ink and skin runs d...
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Episode 21
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59:32