The Indigenous TikTok community is harnessing the power of the digital platform to enlighten people on Indigenous issues and perspectives. Indigenous creators are cultivating a vibrant digital space on TikTok, aiming not only to educate and entertain but also to tackle critical issues. Among these are the harmful legacy of the Indian residential school system and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). This week, in the mentoring circle, we take a moment to recognize and highlight Indigenous content creators who are dedicated to amplifying and supporting Indigenous resurgence. Their voices continue to dismantle barriers and dispel misconceptions. Through their platform, they share the rich beauty, history, and heritage of Indigenous peoples.
Highlighting Indigenous stories and culture is paramount, and TikTok has emerged as a significant platform for Indigenous peoples to leverage digital tools for social advocacy. Through TikTok, Indigenous content creators are reclaiming their identities with firsthand storytelling, championing Indigenous youth, and showcasing the joy and resilience of their communities. For too long, Indigenous stories have been marginalized and silenced. Now, Indigenous TikTokers are sharing their cultures and advocating for justice, ensuring their voices are heard. In celebration of the Indigenous TikTok community, we have created an Indigenous TikTok Visionary Voices list that features 13 Indigenous folks who share their stories to reclaim their identities, educate, advocate and inspire.
Dr. Pamela D. Palmater / @pp2cool
A Mi’kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. She has been a practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of New Brunswick for 23 years and is currently a Professor and the Chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University. She comes from a large family of 8 sisters and three brothers. Pam has two sons, Mitchell and Jeremy, who are also active in the community. Learn what decolonization means for Pam below.
@pp2cool What is decolonization? #warriorlife #pampalmater #indigenoustiktok #indspire #decolonize #decolonization #revitalization #decarcerate #decarceration ♬ Forever – Labrinth
Melissa Blair / @melissas.bookshelf
Melissa Blair is a #BookTok content creator and author from Canada. As an Anishinaabe-kwe she shares books by Indigenous authors from all over Turtle Island—as well as other diverse stories. In her own books, Blair explores themes of colonialism, identity, cultural revitalization and Indigenous sovereignty, driving forward the visibility of Indigenous fiction.
@melissas.bookshelf Since I’m First Nations these books are FNs recs #booktok #bookworm #diversifyyourbookshelves #indigenousbooks #melissasbookshelf ♬ original sound – Melissa Blair
Kairyn Potts / @ohkairyn
Kairyn Potts is proudly Nakota Sioux from Treaty 6 Territory (Paul Band FN and the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation), now making his home in Tkaronto. Kai is a proud Two-Spirit person and creator, who is a passionate advocate working to improve Indigenous youth’s lives through public speaking, content creation and community events.
@ohkairyn Important conversations with @shayla0h for the new episode of the @matriarch.movement podcast. We got to discuss gender and identity a bit and even addressed the criticism that Two Spirit identity is “new” or “made up.” Have you heard of the term Two Spirit before? #twospirit #2spirit #2S #winkte #nativeamerican #indigenous #queer #lgbt #queerpride #indigiqueer ♬ original sound – Kairyn Potts
Brett Mooswa /@brettstoise
An Indigenous man from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation (Loon Lake) in northern Saskatchewan who lives by the mantra laughter is good medicine. Watch the video that got him trending on TikTok with over 19 million views.
@brettstoise Too majestic to be waving normally #nativehumor #indigenous #nativetiktok #nativeamerican ♬ original sound – Brett Mooswa
Sherry Mckay / @sherry.mckay
An Ojibway Anishinabe woman from Treaty 1 Territory. Born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba and band member of Sakgeeng First Nation. Her birth father originates from Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. She discovered a way to share important messages and engage in education and discussions regarding Indigenous issues such as MMIWG2S, systemic racism and cultural appropriation.
@sherry.mckay♬ Life of a Native – Okema
Michelle Chubb / @indigenous_baddie
A Swampy Cree woman born in Winnipeg. Michelle is well known for sharing her culture and experiences as an Indigenous woman while raising awareness of issues affecting her community. Michelle is using her global platform to not only empower and uplift Indigenous youth, but creates digital space for conversations that are often overlooked in mainstream media.
@indigenous_baddie 🛑Wear RED today (May 5) to support #mmiwawareness ‼️ #nativetiktok #mmiw #mmiwg ♬ Eyabay – Jingle Dress
James Jones / @notoriouscree
A traditional hoop dance Cree artist who is ranked among the top 5 hoop dancers in the world. He is an Indigenous educator who has harnessed the power of social media and technology to reclaim and share his culture. On James’ TikTok channel, you’ll find Indigenous dance, culture, and art celebrated in every video.
@notoriouscree Hoop teachings with captions for those who asked #native #nativeamerican #indigenous ♬ Electric Pow Wow Drum – The Halluci Nation
Fawn Wood / @fawn.wood
A Cree and Salish woman from the land known as Saddle Lake, Alberta, who comes from a multi-generational traditional singing family. Fawn’s TikTok channel is a mix of comedy, singing, and relatable Indigenous-centred content. She also uses her platform to showcase her native language in videos such as PlainsCree Phrases and Cree Morning Terms.
@fawn.wood REMEMBER ME composed by my uncle Randy Wood we recorded on my album Kikāwiynaw #nativetikok #cree #rememberme #indigenous #cree #fawnwood ♬ original sound – Fawn Wood
Shina Nova / @shinanova
An Inuk throat singer and creator who lives in what is currently known as Montreal, Quebec. Shina’s channel is a beautiful tribute to Inuit culture and tradition. Many of her videos feature her throat singing with her mother, throat singing is an art form that was almost lost to the Inuit peoples, as Christian missionaries banned the art form because they believed it promoted demonic practices. Shina videos are educational, cultural, and promote Indigenous issues in beautiful, artistic ways.
@shinanova Proud of our people’s resilience and strength @kayuulanova #inuit #throatsingers #culture #resilience ♬ original sound – Shina Nova
Geronimo Louie / @geronimo.warrior
A Two-Spirit Chiricahua Apache and Navajo who is using ribbon work to embrace his Two-Spirit identity and to challenge the notion of what traditional design can be. Based in Gallup, New Mexico, Louie, he started creating videos on TikTok wearing traditional ribbon dresses and skirts to bring representation to Two-Spirit individuals around Turtle Island.
@geronimo.warrior Well said @harawiq ♥️ Ahéhee! #twospirit ♬ original sound – Bobby Sanchez
Marika Sila / @thatwarriorprincess
An Inuvialuk actress, influencer and activist from Yellowknife, NWT. With over half a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok, Marika is best known for her work on the popular TV series ‘The Twilight Zone’. Marika specializes in stunts and special skills for film & TV, including; nunchuck, staff, sword handling, hoop dancing and fire spinning. She started her special skills journey as a hoop dancer, and was recently voted Canadian Hoop Dancer of the Year.
@thatwarriorprincess Thank you to everyone who showed up from across Turtle Island! ✊🏽🧡🙏🏽 #indigenous #indigenoustiktok ♬ Sila – A Tribe Called Red
Tia Wood / @tiamiscihk
A Nehiyaw and Salish who shines a light on her Indigenous culture on TikTok, using her platform to educate her followers about her peoples’ history. Through singing, informational videos, and doing Indigenous takes on popular TikTok trends, Tia is trying to decolonize beauty standards by highlighting her Indigenous beauty, care and happiness. Her message is to celebrate and honour her culture through joy and love.
@tiamiscihk My momma ❤️ #mom #indigenous #browneyes #fyp #powwow #motherwnddaughter #nativeamerican ♬ original sound – Christi Steyn
Willow Allen / @willow.allen
Willow Allen is an Indigenous model born in Inuvik, Northwest Territories in a remote Arctic community of approximately 3,500 people. In addition to modeling, Willow works in mental health and social services and is studying social work at the University of Manitoba. Whether it’s sharing traditional Inuit cultural practices on TikTok or speaking to international media about the power of Indigenous women, Willow never misses an opportunity to create change.
@willow.allen♬ You – Petit Biscuit