#native tattoos

I’m pretty sure I’ve answered a question like this before regarding Miley Cyrus’s stupid dream catcher tattoo… (it might be in my FAQ, but I can’t remember off-hand.) So I’d like my Native followers to give their opinions on this topic. 

And, as NativeAppropriations stated in an article on the subject, “dream catchers are probably one of the most appropriated and exploited Native images.  In many Ojibwe communities, dream catchers are still a sacred, and their creation involves specific ceremonies and prayers. The plastic commercial keychains sold in rest stops are making a mockery of a sacred object. When people buy the dream catchers because they’re “pretty” or to ward off bad dreams, and aren’t aware of the power and history behind the objects, it dilutes them to a commercial object disconnected from their origins and community.”

In my, probably unpopular opinion, Native American tattoos on non-Native people are super cringy. Especially the ever so popular: skull wearing headdress and the Bert Grimm style tattoos of women wearing headdresses.

As a Native American person, anytime I see a Native headdress tattoo on a non-Native person, (specifically a white person, let’s face the facts) it’s like a major “F.U.” & a slap in the face. I’ve seen so many of them all my life… I’ve even had people who, upon asking me if I’m Native American, then proudly proceed to want to show me their awful headdress tattoo. (And please don’t send me ask messages after reading this saying things like, “But my skull wearing headdress tattoo is honoring Natives” or something as equally ridiculous like, “but I’m 1/100th Native American through my great great great great Grandmother so it’s okay for me to have such & such tattoo.” 

When you look at that tattoo, you might see honor, but when I look at your tattoo… I see your ancestors forcing Native people to abandon our ways of life, culture, and belief systems, to assimilate to yours. 

Kira Murillo, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes from Fort Hall, Idaho, loves spending time with her friends and family. Like many natives, she enjoys a good powwow and she definitely knows a thing or two about fancy footwork as a Jingle Dress dancer and certified Zumba instructor that volunteers her services for the tribe’s fitness program. She is also a multidisciplinary artist with her own clothing line, Kira’s Designs. In addition to the T-shirts and Hoodies that feature her artwork, her line includes beautiful, hand painted Parfleche purses, belts and cuffs.

But at 21 years old, Kira is quite literally leaving her mark on the world as an amazing up and coming tattoo artist. For many indigenous people, tattoo practices have significant cultural value and tattoos were given as rites of passage, as signs of status and to signify family, clan and tribal affiliation. While most tattoos today are largely more personal and decorative than culturally significant, Kira takes great pride and joy in being able to incorporate her native culture within her designs. She is one of many native tattoo artists whose skills are not only providing another medium for artists to showcase their talents, but helping to revitalize tribal tattoo practices while removing the stigma surrounding body modification.

First off, how many tattoos do you have and what is your favorite? I have 17 tattoos, two of which I did myself (for practice). I can’t say that I really have a favorite one. They are like children, you have to love them all.

When did you decided that you wanted to be an artist, designer and tattoo artist? I’ve always had an interest in art from a very young age. I started making my own outfits as a teenager and selling paintings & crafts when I was about 16 years old. I decided around that time that I wanted to become a tattoo artist. This was, also, about the time I got my first tattoo and became obsessed with the TV reality show, L.A. Ink.

I bought my first tattoo starter kit when I was 18 years old and my sister, Mia, trusted me enough to volunteer as my first victim. My Mom saw a reality TV show called “Tattoo School” on TLC and began researching it. She asked if I wanted to try to go there someday. The course was two weeks and cost around five thousand dollars, so we began saving and fund-raising so that I could go. Our community was for the most part very supportive and I wouldn’t have been able to make it there without all of their support and encouragement.

The very next year I was off to New York to train as a tattooer at the Tattoo Learning Center. Shortly after, I was approached by Titus Ponzo, Owner of Ponzook Tattooz, about working in his shop. Titus is also a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes as well as all the current artists in the shop. I’ve done it ever since.

As a multidisciplinary artist, what medium do you enjoy more? I enjoy it all and I feel that each medium influences the other in some ways.

Who or what influences you? Doubters and negativity influence me the most because it makes me want to try that much harder to prove them wrong.

I am influenced by all other artists that I’m exposed to. I’m constantly learning and know that there will always be more to gain from others. I’ve learned so much from the artists that I’ve worked with so far such as; Titus Ponzo, Owner of Ponzook Tattooz; Mario Gonzalez, Integrity Ink Tattooer; Douglas Broncho, Ponzook Tattooer, and especially Lisa Fasulo, Owner of the Tattoo Learning Centers.

My Momager/Business Partner is also one of my biggest influences. She’s the crack behind the whip. She keeps me in check and helps me with the business end of all of this. Love you, Mom.

If you had to describe your art and design aesthetic in one word, what word would you use? DOPE!

What’s your favorite part about being a tattoo artist? Free Tattoos! No really, it’s the trust that someone has in me to express my art with something that will be a part of them forever.

What are some of your favorite moments or accomplishments of your career so far? Being asked to do this interview. I feel it is a big accomplishment because it’s yet another way to reach out to our Native communities. Establishing my apparel line and website are some of my more recent accomplishments and I’m working at growing that part of my business everyday.

What do you hope to accomplish through your art? The feeling that anything is possible and I believe that if you have a talent you should share it with the world. If you can use your talents to be self-sustaining, then that’s just an added bonus.

What advice would you give to those wanting to do what you do? Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back. You make your own happiness.