Tag Archives: TikTok

Jessica Presta: Module 4, Post 3

Indigenous people’s use of digital technologies and social media provides them with a medium from which they can share their culture and their identity. By doing so, they combat long standing barriers to visibility. Therefore, I wanted to investigate what features of social media allow them to boost their visibility to larger audiences on these platforms. As I mentioned in my last blog post, a platform that prioritizes abundance and uses unbiased algorithms is a first step to increasing your visibility among users. Another way is through the use of hashtags. One such hashtag that is frequently used among Indigenous content creators and is boosting their visibility among each other and people outside of their culture is #NativeTikTok.

The use of hashtags on TikTok is easily viewable due to TikTok’s transparency with a lot of the data they collect. With a simple search in my own app, these are some of the statistics I found related to Indigenous based hashtags, and their views. Notice #NativeTikTok has 8.8 BILLION views!!

And as you can see, not only can I search for content that has used that hashtag, but I can also look at who is currently doing a LIVE video, I can listen to top trending sounds that are associated with that hashtag, I can watch videos that have used that hashtag, see users as well as the top trending content that has used that hashtag. This cache of content has been created by Indigenous people from all over the world, connecting them and creating a global community like never before. Not only do Indigenous people get to learn about their own cultures and traditions, but they get to learn about hundreds of other distinct native nations worldwide.

The act of being able to share their culture and some traditions, when before it was illegal to do so, is empowering. Having a tool like TikTok that allows Indigenous content creators to break the cycle of invisibility and to be known as contemporary, modern people, enables them to smash stereotypes in order to be truly seen as equal.

 

Jessica Presta: Module 3, Post 5

Here is a short, 9 minute interview with Vanessa and Deanne. They talk about how they are able to use TikTok to connect with members of their community to amplify their voices and bring awareness to important causes. Their personal stories are inspiring and impactful. This is a great representation of how Indigenous people are using these platforms to share their narrative, unadulterated.

As discussed by Vass Bednar and Jesse Hirsch (2022) in their opinion piece, TikTok is proving to be more effective in amplifying Indigenous voices than Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). They identify some of the key features of TikTok that allow for its success to do this:

  • Different algorithmic priorities
  • Greater opportunities for creators to find success
  • Data collection practices through the use of short, densely packed videos that loop
  • Responsive algorithmically curated content
  • Creators get rapid and responsive feedback
  • Easy to connect with audiences
  • Creators access to analytics
  • The ability to be a part of groups and subcultures
  • Model of abundance, lots of creators, lots of content, minimal restrictions

Indigenous content creators have had large success on the platform due to the popularity of their content and an unbiased algorithm that minimizes barriers to promoting their content. This largely contrasts to the barriers and control exerted by broadcasting companies such as CBC.

Another interesting finding I came across during my research of social media as a lever of Indigenous identity, is the TikTok accelerator program aimed at uplifting Indigenous voices and stories.

To learn more about this program and how it supports Canadian Indigenous content creators, click here. 

Indigenous Folks To Learn From – M1 P2

One of the topics I always bring up with my students when we have discussions around residential schools, colonization and their legacies is that though it is extremely important to learn and reflect on these topics, it is just as important to learn and celebrate Indigenous joy. Coming to this course, I had been previously learning from a number of really awesome Indigenous individuals. One of the ways we can support Indigenous communities is by sharing their work, buying their work and amplifying their platforms. Here is just a few of the awesome Indigenous individuals I have appreciated learning from over the last few years:

  • Megan Tipler (@tiplerteaches on Instagram and Twitter) She is a former teacher and current Master’s student at the University of Alberta who authentically shares her experiences as an educator and creates fantastic classroom resources.
  • Blake Desjarlais (@blakedesjarlais on Instagram and Twitter) He is a current MP for Edmonton Griesbach and shares many of the happening within the federal government and Indigenous relations.
  • The folks behind the Yellowhead Institute (@yellowheadinstitute on Instagram, @Yellowhead_ on Twitter) They provide critical perspectives on Indigenous policy and always have vital information to share about the 94 Calls to Action.
  • Michael Linklater (@michael_linklater on Instagram) As a basketball coach I love celebrating the accomplishments of this guy. He has played on the 3X3 Team Canada and has a community project called Boys with Braids that encourages and supports Indigenous men and boys who wear traditional braids.
  • James Jones (@notoriouscree on Instagram and TikTok) Shares cultural dances, dress, songs and traditions. I especially enjoying showing his videos to my students.
  • Dr James Makokis (@creeture82 on Instagram and @DrMakokis on Twitter) A medical doctor who also won the Amazing Race Canada with partner Anthony Johnson. Dr Makokis shares insights into what healthcare looks like for Indigenous folk both on and off reserves.

There are so many others, including fantastic artists that are so open and willing to share about their culture with their platform and following. I always share with my students that we consume so much media. It is important to make sure some of that media supports and represents Indigenous creators.