“I think all of us as artists in general have more to share than just our tattoos,” says participating artist Renato Marino, who has been tattooing for 11 years. “When you go to a museum or you go to an art show, [people think] ‘Oh, these are artists,’ but then they look at us and they’re like, ‘These are degenerates who draw things,’” Marino laughs.

Cody Angus’s love of photography and love of live music means that there are plenty of sweaty, colourful, high-energy shots on his website and social media pages.

The collective’s name means “to awaken” in the Michif language. It’s fitting, as Métis leader Louis Riel is said to have once prophesized that, “My people will sleep for 100 years, but it is the artists who will give them their spirit back”—which is what Kooshkopayiw plans to do.