Forbes May 27, 2023
When the Hippocratic Oath was first penned in ancient Greece, my ancestors were already deeply immersed in our Indigenous ways of being that remain integral today. Regrettably, I feel the modern implementation of the “Do No Harm” principle within Western medicine has yet to fully reconcile with Indigenous cultural practices, including traditional ceremonies and the permanent body markings sometimes associated with them, in all their power and beauty.
Many Indigenous Nations around the world have culturally unique permanent bodily markings, such as tattooing or scars, associated with sacred ceremonies passed through the generations. These markings are worn proudly, yet they are not always visible, publically discussed, or something people are open to share about with non-Indigenous people or those outside...