Nahaan Speaks Up

Tattooing is a tradition that our people have been practicing for generations. Indigenous people from all four directions have many traditional ways of tattooing.  These tattoos represent different clans, tribes, and even individuals’ status in their communities. Today there are still traditional tattoo artist that perform tattoos. I got the opportunity to vibe with a Tlingit tattoo artist!  At the Northwest canoe journeys there can be over 10,000 natives in one location. So many people were holding raffle ticket signs, selling amazing cedar work from carving to weaving. My homeboy Keet Dayeen was walking around holding a sign that said "Tlingit Tattooing by Nahaan". Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo I got the chance to meet Nahaan from the Tlingit nation.

Tattooing has been a large part of the Tlingit culture since time began. It is ceremonial to give and receive tattoos whether it is done through tapping, sewing, or gunning.

Keet Dayeen, Nahaan, and myself--Paddle to Squaxin Island 2012

Not only is Nahaan a tattoo artist, but he is a carving and a design apprentice under Nathan Jackson. He paints, draws, craves, sculpts, sings, writes and speaks on many issues that he is passionate about. 

 I am so ecstatic about Nahaan’s work!  From being an Eastern Algonquin native I can say that the coastal designs in the west are very different from our traditional coastal designs here in the east. Our traditional designs were found near the edge and border of our garments and even pottery. Sometimes designs would be found in the center of mantels, bags, and breech cloths. They were also abstract and had minimal detail. Sometimes when looking at a eastern Algonquin design you can see many different types of things in one design. That could also depend on who was viewing the design.

Nahaan’s designs are so lively with so much consistency. It is artist like Nahaan that helps to keep our traditions alive. The exsposure of his work we will become relevant in today’s society because it will intrigue people to look further into what not only native artist are doing but what is happening in Native America!

He is an active vigorous advocate for native rights. My Facebook newsfeed floods with the current work in his movement. I know many people have the perception of Facebook being a negative platform; however, I think it depends on who you choose to follow and who follows you. The posts that Nahaan includes on his page, creates awareness in the social media network for Native America. The content of the posts that he projects is an artistic outlook on important issues from our native languages to our fight and struggle in standing for our rights.

You know how people use the phrase “ A man of many hats”?  LOL…Well I would say Nahaan seems to be the artist of many hats!

I just want say to Nahaan--keep the fire burning because your work provides our people with the enlightenment that we need to prosper. Specifically our youth! Role models and mentors seem to be short in numbers these days. However, people like you and many others I have blogged about are those role models and mentors that our youth need to lead our nations.

              Be sure to check out Nahaan’s work

Instagram @nahaan206

Facebook:

Nahaan Speaks Up https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/nahaan?fref=ts

Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo