Reawakening Our Ancestors' Lines: Revitalizing Inuit Traditional Tattooing

Gr 7 Up—Johnston chronicles her mission of learning about and preserving Inuit traditional tattoos and methods of tattooing while also profiling the women, young and old, living in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, who embarked on this journey with her. The volume opens with a moving introduction from Johnston, who details the many motivations behind the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization project, including her desire to have tattoos like those of her ancestors and to continue a tradition that colonizers, missionaries, and residential schools tried to erase. She also discusses the inking methods she adapted based on research and the stories of elders before segueing into the individual profiles of those who participated. In photo journal style, the book contains personal narratives from each woman about her life, her connection to Inuit culture, and the inspiration behind her chosen tattoos, with high-quality images documenting the process and the final results. The large format of the book also makes it perfect for browsing. There are few resources on this subject for this audience, and the prioritizing of Inuit women's voices further cements this as a necessary read.