Influential Indigenous Voices on TikTok
While TikTok can often be a place to mindlessly scroll and ‘zone out’, it is also a space where people can go to learn from diverse voices. Accordingly, activists have thrived on TikTok all the while sharing important messages. This is no different for First Nations voices, for whom the platform’s digestible format has helped educate Australians on issues such as racism and colonialism, and the painful reminder of these entrenched issues that is January 26. So, in the lead up to this controversial day, here are some Indigenous content creators who might help you learn a thing or two.
Bianca Hunt:
@_biancahunt_♬ original sound – Bianca 💁🏽♀️
This TV presenter and talent agent, who also hosts Yokayi Footy alongside Tony Armstrong, is a proud Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman who mainly shares content about fashion and popular culture. However, she has also spoken about issues facing Indigenous Australians, such as highlighting the hypocrisy present in proclamations like “I don’t see colour”, emphasising how it contributes to the erasure of Indigenous identity. She states proudly, “I love my coloured skin”.
Gab Lanita:
@gablanita Should I answer more questions? Make this a series? | Please keep comments respectful. Opinions are welcome, hate is not 🖤💛❤️ #aboriginaltiktok #firstnations #aboriginaleducation ♬ original sound – gabs
This model and influencer has gone viral several times, especially for her content surrounding the Referendum. Her TikTok content is often humorous and looks to poke fun at racists in her comments, with her focus recently shifting to the debate around Australia Day. Gab has also spoken at length about her own heritage, addressing how ‘blackness’ and one’s Indigenous heritage is viewed in Australia. She has said things like, “our hair type does not determine someone’s Aborigionality.”
Emily Johnson:
@howdoidelete1 Ok and #okand #fatphobia #letsdebate ♬ original sound – heather 💔
Likely one of Australia’s foremost and prominent Indigenous content creators on TikTok. This Barkindji, Wakawaka and Birrigubba woman uses her account to vent her frustrations regarding issues such as race, gender and inequality. Much of what she creates are humorous takedowns of racist, sexist and fatphobic comments, as well as shedding light on the general experiences of Indigenous people across Australia.
Nich Richie:
@nichrichie If you can, go to your favourite Indigenous creator and give back in some way #indigenous #aboriginal #torresstraitislander #australia #referendum ♬ original sound – Nich
If you want some of your First Nations content with a queer twist, Nich Richie is a trans non-binary Indigenous creator and journalist. Through their content, Nich has been drawing attention to much of the systematic racism still present in this country. Recently, Nich expressed their exasperation with the federal government and its handling of the recent referendum.
Kirsten Banks:
@astrokirsten NAIDOC Week 2021 #healcountry #indigenous #astronomy #aboriginal #naidoc #naidocweek ♬ original sound – Kirsten Banks
Whilst most of her content is focused on astrophysics and space, this brainy influencer is a one-stop location for anything science and space related. However, she has also used her platform to help challenge perceptions of Indigenous history, sharing their scientific understanding of the world and highlighting that it is often complementary to Western sciences. One interesting case she touches on is how the Boorong people of North Western Victoria saw a “star burp and described it in their traditions”, highlighting their early observations of astronomy.
