In this episode of Between the Threads, host Somia Sadiq sits down with Justine Proulx, an Indigenous tattoo and mural artist whose Métis identity is rooted in Ojibwe and Cree ancestry with deep Red River ties. As a descendant of Paul Proulx (who served alongside Louis Riel during the Red River Resistance), Justine shares her journey through Woodland style art, how body art and public murals serve as vehicles for emotional healing, and the power of returning to our roots through visual storytelling.
Key Takeaways:
- Justine Proulx’s heritage as a Red River Métis, Ojibwe, and Cree artist descended from Paul Proulx.
- The history and spiritual symbolism of Woodland style painting and medicine art.
- How tattooing and cover-up art serve as tools for trauma processing, mental health, and body reclamation.
- Creating large-scale public murals, including the 200+ foot RBC Convention Centre installation in Winnipeg.
- The role of art as a universal language for community healing and decolonization.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & Little Justine Growing Up Artistic
05:10 - Why Kids Lose Creative Freedom & Encouraging Young Artists
07:50 - The Path to Tattooing: From Copying Magazines to Metamorphosis
12:00 - How Tattoos Tell Stories, Commemorate Milestones & Process Grief
15:13 - Can Tattoos Heal? Body Piercing, Autonomy & Reclaiming Control
19:03 - The Power of Cover-Up Tattoos: FACELIFTS & Overcoming Harmful Memories
22:30 - Public Murals as Urban Storytelling & Accidental Mural Painting
30:13 - Red River Ties: Descending from Paul Proulx & Louis Riel’s Council
35:25 - Understanding Woodland Art: Symbols, Relationships & Medicine Painting
39:23 - The RBC Convention Centre Mural: "Returning to Our Roots" & Treaty 1
45:02 - Art as a Universal Healer & What's Next for Justine
About Our Guest:
Justine Proulx is an Indigenous tattoo and mural artist specializing in Woodland style art. Her Métis identity is rooted in Ojibwe and Cree ancestry, with deep ties to the Red River Resistance through her ancestor Paul Proulx. Through tattooing, public murals, and youth workshops, Justine explores relationships between spirit, nature, and people to spark dialogue around identity, resilience, and decolonization.
Follow Justine Proulx on Instagram: https://instagram.com/justineproulx
Connect With Us:
- Kahanee: https://www.kahanee.ca | https://instagram.com/kahanee_storiesforpeace
- Narratives: https://www.narrativesinc.com | https://instagram.com/narrativesinc
Show Credits:
- Host: Somia Sadiq
- Guest: Justine Proulx
- Produced by: Kahanee & Narratives
- Curator: Courtney Friesen
- Music: Lior Soltz - Glistening Ripples Lullaby (Creative Cut - Dreamy)
About Between the Threads:
Between the Threads is a podcast by Kahanee, a social enterprise dedicated to storytelling, peacebuilding, and systems change. The podcast is produced in partnership with Narratives, a purpose-driven firm offering holistic consulting in planning, impact assessment, capacity building, and design to empower change across Turtle Island.
We acknowledge that this work was created on Indigenous lands. We honour the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today.
#Winnipeg #WoodlandArt #BetweenTheThreads #JustineProulx #IndigenousArt #TattooArtist #RedRiverMetis
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