---
title: Inked in History
date: 2024-05-17T16:05:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/inked-in-history"
section: Articles
---
# Inked in History

*May 17, 2024* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/authors/sala-levin-10)


- *Photos by Stephanie S. Cordle*

> Professor Tells Stories Behind Her Traditional Tattoos

*SHELBI NAHWILET MEISSNER portrait*

Ask Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner what her doctoral dissertation was about, and the assistant professor in the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies might just roll up her sleeves and show you.

The daughter of a citizen of the La Jolla band of the Luiseño Indians, Meissner has tattoos on her forearms depicting her thesis of the traditional craft of basket weaving as a metaphor for how to conduct research—along with foods, animals and symbols important to her tribe.

Here, *Terp* takes a guided tour of Meissner’s ink to learn the stories behind them.


*oak leaves and acorns tattoo*


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*tattoo of three quails*


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*skin stitch tattoo*


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*Spiderwoman tattoo*


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*four basket tattoos on arm*


**BASKETS** The four baskets on Meissner’s arm, depicted from a bird’s-eye view, represent the chapters of her dissertation:

**Snake:** Symbolizes how an Indigenous researcher can move “strategically and carefully” through academia.

**Canoe:** Represents Indigenous people as expert guides, leading researchers through the difficulties of translating Native languages.

**Stars:** Symbolize the Seven Sisters, a constellation that, in Luiseño teaching, is seven women sharing one husband; in Meissner’s view, it’s a feminist story about using different types of knowledge to work together.

**Compass:** References a Luiseño coming-of-age ritual, and reminds Meissner to be guided by the teachings of her elders.




**Issue:** [Spring 2024](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/spring-2024)


**Types:** [Explorations](https://terp.umd.edu/category/explorations)