In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, which is celebrated in June, TikTok has unveiled its 2024 #IndigenousTikTok Visionary Voices List—and it’s full of inspiring Indigenous creators you should know and support this month and beyond. From Inuk throat singer and former ELLE Canada cover star Shina Nova to entrepreneur Harlan Kingfisher, here are the nine creators who made the list.

Creators

Braden Kadlun / @kadlun

@kadlun

What you think of the Inuit naming system? #inuit #inuk #names #name #indigenous #native #education #learn

♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Known for his sobriety, culture, and food-focused content—which often includes cameos from his mother Hovak (@hovak)—Braden Kadlun’s TikTok is a safe space for candid conversations that detail his inspiring healing journey. Through sharing snippets of his daily life, Kadlun consistently highlights his Inuit culture and educates his many followers.

Vanessa Brousseau / @resilientinuk

@resilientinuk

I want ALL women to be safe but in order for that to happen we need to raise the safety standards for Indigenous women first as they are targeted at higher rates. We need society to know that Indigenous women are worthy and valuable unlike what the federal government has done to make us appear the opposite. #indigenouswomenmatter #protectindigenouswomen #truthandreconciliation #genocide #truehistoryofcanada

♬ Emotional – Bang Nono

In 2020, artist and storyteller Vanessa Brousseau began to make content surrounding Indigenous issues in honour of her missing sister, Pamela Holopaeinen. Now, with over 100,000 followers, Brousseau continues to advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit through posting online, public speaking, and making beautiful art for her business, Resilient Inuk Creations.

Shina Nova / @shinanova

@shinanova

We are still here and we are stronger than ever ✊🏼 #indigenous #throatsinging #inuit #culture #tradition @kayuulanova

♬ original sound – Shina Nova

You’ve probably spotted Inuk creator Shina Nova on your For You Page throat singing alongside her mother, Kayuula Nova (@kayuulanova), sharing the beauty of this cultural tradition with over four million followers on TikTok. When she isn’t singing, you can find Nova spreading awareness about Indigenous rights on the app. What’s more, she has also been chosen to be part of the six-month TikTok Change Makers Program, which recognizes social impact creators and non-profit organizations for their community contributions.

Industry Disruptors

Lakeeysha Marie / @lakeeyshamarie

@lakeeyshamarie

Little me would be so proud #powwow#powwowdancer#fancydancer#womensfancyshawl#powwowtok#powwowdance

♬ Trumpet Echo – Ashtonic_

Poet, artist and dancer Lakeeysha Marie shows love for her Plains Cree community through spoken word poems and incorporating her language (Cree Y dialect) into her content. As an artist, Marie’s work is a reflection of the love and hope she has for her people, and she uses her voice on the app to encourage others to connect with their own roots.

Shawnee Kish / @shawneekish

@shawneekish

Amidst the weight of yesterday’s pain, this song reminds me of the power of hope & strength. Healing is possible, and we’re grateful for the love and support on our baby journey. ❤️ #miscarriage #healing #vanishingtwinsyndrome #lgbt

♬ For Me – Shawnee Kish

Based in Toronto, Shawnee Kish is a Two Spirit performer with Mohawk heritage rooted in the Six Nations of the Grand River. Kish uses her TikTok as a platform to document her family life and music journey while inspiring others. Much of her music allows Kish to open up about personal experiences and be vulnerable with her followers, who she continues to motivate through song.

Xavier Watso / @watso_

@watso_

Thank you @ledevoir, @sophiethedoxie, @jeanbatailleur for the interview! #montreal #quebec #canada #nativetiktok #indigenoustiktok #watso #native #indigenous

♬ original sound – Xavier Watso 🦉

From acting and hosting to teaching and creating content, Xavier Watso has spent over 15 years as a cultural commentator and community advocate. As the Master of Ceremonies at the Odanak and Wolinak powwows, he plays a key role in the preservation of Indigenous cultures. His TikTok page, which features his informative ‘How Do You Say’ series, is a representation of his commitment to preserving and highlighting his culture.

Small Owned Businesses Owners

Bernice Kootoo Clarke / @bernicekootooclarke

@bernicekootooclarke

Everyone needs to act like their house is on fire and protect and promote our was. #itsourfight #jointgefight #protectandpromote #ourways #inuktitut #inuittiktok #inuktiktok @Justin709

♬ original sound – Koots

Bernice Kootoo Clarke is the founder of the body care brand Uasau Soap Inc., which has been creating all-natural products infused with Inuit teachings since 2012. Growing up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Clarke was deeply immersed in her Inuit heritage, fluently speaking Inuktitut before she learned English. Her content gives a glimpse into her day-to-day life, during which she seeks to preserve her cultural heritage by protecting her mother tongue and fostering sustainable businesses.

Harlan Kingfisher / @smudgetheblades

@smudgetheblades

My information is at the end of the video if youd like to contact me to attend your communities next youth conference 🪶#nativetiktok #indigenoustiktok #nativehockey #mentalhealthmatters #smudgetheblades #nativeyouth #indigenousyouthconference @JoelWood

♬ original sound – Smudge the Blades

Entrepreneur Harlan Kingfisher, from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, has made history as the owner and CEO of Canada’s first-ever Indigenous hockey apparel brand, Smudge the Blades. Kingfisher uses sales from his business to help Indigenous youth play hockey by covering their administrative fees and purchasing their equipment. On TikTok, his content spotlights both his culture and his clothing brand.

Taalrumiq (Christina King) / @taalrumiq

@taalrumiq

Modern & Traditional #Inuvialuit #Gwichin #IndigenousTiktok #WhatATimeToBeAlive

♬ Like A River (Step On It Vers) – softmadeit🥇

Raised on the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Tuktoyaktuk, Taalrumiq (Christina King) is an Inuvialuit and Gwich’ich fashion designer, speaker, artist, and cultural educator. Taalrumiq uses her background in human ecology and education alongside her lived experience to share her culture with others via art, fashion, advocacy and content creation. Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) may have spotted her impressive designs throughout the Netflix series this year.

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