In the heart of Winnipeg, a laser tattoo removal specialist has dedicated herself to aiding former gang members in distancing themselves from their past lives. Della Steinke, who runs Mother Ink Tattoo Removal, embarked on her mission eight years ago when she began providing free laser treatments whilst managing duties at a howaitia house.
Responsible for aiding a youth caught in the relentless grip of gang violence, fresh from the gates of Stony Mountain Penitentiary, Steinke was moved by his fear of leaving the safety of his yard. He bore a conspicuous gang symbol inked onto his skin, an unmissable invitation for trouble from rival gangs or even his own.
Since then, Steinke has selflessly donated services upwards of a million dollars, erasing the physical remnants of gang allegiances. Having worked closely with over 300 ex-gang members, she proudly maintains a personal connection with the majority of them.
Laser tattoo removal, though quick, is a painful procedure. As the concentrated light breaks down the tattoo ink, pulling it to the skin’s surface, it causes discomfort far surpassing the initial tattooing process, Steinke assures. Nevertheless, the pain is transient and the freedom it grants is priceless.
Throughout her eight-year journey, Steinke has provided tattoo removal services from various locations. Recently, a new partnership with the Spence Neighbourhood Association has allowed her relocation to her own space on Sargent Avenue. It has also enabled her pursuit of provincial funding, allowing her to dedicate herself to the free removal of tattoos full-time.
In addition to that, her partnership with the association avails her connections with counseling services and social aids. These expanded resources transform tattoo removal sessions into steppingstones towards a new life. “If they trust me enough to take the tattoo off, hopefully they’ll trust me enough to help them, you know, do other things in their life,” Steinke shared. Potential new jobs, apartments, and lives stand within reach.
With each treatment session, Steinke spends substantial time counseling each individual, understanding their past struggles and future aspirations. “Every stage is a healing process, it seems,” she notes, taking pleasure in each progression. The reward is evident when they share small victories, like removing their shirts on a beach day without feeling shame or fear.
Steinke looks forward to expanding her valuable services into the prison system, reaching potential clients while they are still incarcerated. “If I can start working on them 6 months to a year before they get out, it would just save them so much heartache and everything else later down the road,” she insists. There are also foundations being laid for her to visit remote communities and extend her services where needed the most.
