5 Indigenous Canadian TikTokers to Watch

Social media influence is often used to sell products, promote brands, and boost the careers of content creators. But a growing group of Indigenous creators are redefining what it means to be a TikTok star, leveraging the popular platform to share their culture and inspire youth.

Indigenous TikTok stars such as Fawn Wood, Michelle Chubb, Shina Novalinga, Mikey Harris, and James Jones have made TikTok a first-rate stage of Indigenous music, dance, community, and art. Through their creative work, they are promoting their culture, educating settlers, strengthening Indigenous community bonds, and uplifting other young creators in the process.

“What draws me to TikTok as a platform is the variety and creative freeness it offers. As an Indigenous creator, I appreciate being able to see all aspects of our culture there. It’s easy to relate to, as I can log in and watch makeup or comedy or issues being addressed by people like me-- Indigenous people.” Fawn Wood, @fawn.wood

1. Michelle Chubb (@indigenous_baddie)

Michelle Chubb is part of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation and lives in what is currently known as Winnipeg, Manitoba. Michelle was a 2021 Women of Influence recipient and was recently featured in Teen Vogue.

Much of Michelle’s content centres around Indigenous rights, jingle dress dancing, and authentic powwow attire. She provides beading tutorials, traditional dancing, and get-ready-with-me videos alongside direct call-outs to Indigenous injustice, such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and residential schools. Michelle is also incredibly honest about the racism she has experienced growing up and how it made her nervous about sharing her culture openly. Now, she proudly displays her traditional regalia and uses her platform to educate others about injustices faced by Indigenous peoples across the globe.

@indigenous_baddie

Today I’m embracing who I really am ✨🦅 ##reupload ##native ##cree ##fyp ##foryoupage ##indigenous ##proud ##culture

♬ You Driving Me Crazy (Indian Girl) - Joey Stylez & Northern Cree

2. James Jones (@notoriouscree)

James Jones is an Indigenous dancer who lives in the Treaty 6 territory known as Edmonton, Alberta. James has a long history of traditional dance and has been ranked one of the top 5 hoop dancers in the world and has traveled across Europe, China, Australia, and North America displaying his skills. In 2009, James was a finalist on the popular show So You Think You Can Dance Canada. He has also performed his hoop dancing on world tours with the Juno award-winning group A Tribe Called Red.

On James’ TikTok channel, you’ll find Indigenous dance, culture, and art celebrated in every video. From traditional hoop dancing and music, to regalia, cultural knowledge, and poignant historical information, James is dedicated to sharing his culture and educating others along the way. “Appreciate, don’t appropriate, and we’ll all get along just fine.”- James Jones.

@notoriouscree

This is my favourite remix right now ##indigenous ##transition ##dance ##nativetiktok

♬ original sound - Tia Wood

3. Fawn Wood (@fawn.wood)

Fawn Wood is a Cree and Salish woman from the land known as Saddle Lake, Alberta, who comes from a multi-generational traditional singing family. She is also an experienced hand drummer and was the first woman to ever win the Hand Drum contest at the Gathering of Nation’s Pow-Wow.

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.

“I feel it’s important for me to share my culture because when I was growing up I didn’t see any people like me in major media. I think now social media is one of the main ways our youth and people connect. I want to be one of the faces out there that they can connect with and look up to to be proud of themselves. Also, I think it’s important for non-Indigenous people to see us in a good light and see us directly from our own creative outlets”

Fawn recently released a new album titled Kakike with Buffalo Jump Recordsand says her followers can expect more music to come along with a merchandise drop and music video.

@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

4. Mikey Harris (@mikeyharriss)

Mikey Harris is an Indigenous dancer and choreographer from what’s known as Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is known for blending traditional Métis jigging hip-hop dance styles. Mikey has been a professional dancer for over 14 years and has performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Canadian Parliament Hill New Years Bash, and the Indigenous Music Awards.

Mikey’s TikTok channel is focused on dance, but he doesn’t miss a beat in educating his followers on the traditional style that fueled his passion for movement. Mikey has been jigging since he was four years old and continues to practice the traditional dance alongside his family.

Through his fusion dance techniques, Mikey hopes to continue educating young performers on his traditions and roots, while carving out his own space in the world of choreography.

@mikeyyharriss

THIS was fun!! 🤘🏽 Dc: @vansecoo @cocodry @aciddaizies @bellexem @itsbrendas 🔥 dancing w my sibs @jacobhaaarris @cieannaaharris ##fyp ##HolidayDecor

♬ original sound - The Duracell Bunny🐰🤎

5. Shina Novalinga (@shinanova)

Shina Novalinga is 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, the two women looking into each other’s eyes as they share a deep cultural moment. 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. Throat singing saw a resurgence in the 1980s, but it is still a rare skill to carry.

Shina also posts videos of her mother braiding her hair, herself modeling traditional attire, and recreates popular TikTok viral trends with a unique Indigenous perspective. Her 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

Written by Hannah Macready