Connecting with Indigenous creators online
War Pony • goache, prismacolor, ink on vintage paper by KamiJo Whiteclay
Social media has become a powerful place for Indigenous peoples to share culture and traditions by expressing their identities, passions, and stories in ways that both honor their communities and educate broader audiences. In doing so, these creators are challenging stereotypes, revitalizing languages, championing land and water rights, and reshaping how the world understands Indigenous life and resilience.
In a study conducted by Zsuzsanna Schnell and Christopher Podeschi, students from two distant universities were able to experience a real-time integration of different perspectives, resulting in a more open mindset. Not only were the students able to form long-term friendships and professional connections, but they were also able to avoid the ‘ready-baked’ perspectives and interpretations in common course books.
By connecting with other cultures through content online, we can share experiences, gain new perspectives, and learn more about the world and people around us.
Connecting with Indigenous Voices
There is deep solidarity among many Indigenous content creators, but by no means are all Indigenous peoples similar. Native American culture is not a monolith; it cannot be considered one unified concept, despite often being grouped together. There are diverse Indigenous peoples across the Americas, all with different cultures, governance, and experiences.
To listen to Indigenous voices is to listen to elders, storytellers, land protectors, water protectors, artists, dancers, athletes, textile experts, writers, poets, beadworkers, and more. If you're not connected to your Native culture through your family, you may look for it on social media.
Here are Indigenous creators and educators who share teachings on wellness, creativity, and community healing.
“Digital Collage piece titled Déaxitchish (Chief Pretty Eagle), my grandpa of many Greats. My intention was to highlight the selfless role a Chief takes on to provide for and protect the people.” -KamiJo Whiteclay
Medicine and Healing
Indigenous medicinal knowledge has influenced modern medicine in numerous ways. For instance, traditional knowledge informed the development of syringes, pain relievers, oral birth control, sunscreen, baby bottles, and mouthwash. Through what we might call "medicinal media," Indigenous creators are sharing traditional healing practices, wellness knowledge, and the profound understanding that medicine extends far beyond physical health—encompassing spiritual, emotional, and cultural healing as well.
Dr. James A. Makokis (Creeture82) is a medical doctor and Nehiyô (Plains Cree) is Two-Spirit, a term used by some Indigenous peoples to describe gender, sexual, and spiritual identities that exist outside colonial binaries. Each Nation has its own terms and understandings but it is most often an umbrella term for people who have both a feminine and masculine spirit within them. Dr. Makokis advocates for transgender health and specializes in transgender health care. People come from all over the world to see him at his practice in Alberta, Canada. He also won season seven of Canada’s Amazing Race with his husband, Anthony Johnson. He is a speaker on all things medicine, trans health, anti-indigenous racism, and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Jase Roe (Auntie Jase) is also Two-Spirit and Northern Cheyenne, a tribe in Montana. He shares videos on TikTok about spiritual healing and meditation. He is in recovery and helps others as a member of the board of directors of Out & Sober Minnesota.
Asinaabe (7th Fire Messenger) is Ojibwe, a large tribe that originated around the Great Lakes, and included Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, and Wisconsin. He talks about dream catchers and the medicine in them, and the distinction from the usual decorations. He also discusses sage and smudging, including who should and shouldn't smudge. He enjoys educating people about indigenous culture, traditions, and history.
Willow Allen is an Inuit and a fashion model. Inuit are from Alaska, Canada, and some parts of Greenland and eastern Russia. She shares her Inuit culture, including traditional food and tattoos. Most recently, she’s been sharing her pregnancy journey and the recent birth of a baby boy with whom she’ll share the Inuit culture.
Kendra Jessie Rosychuk is Nehiyaw (Cree), who are Indigenous peoples from Canada. She shares Native dance and movement and discusses indigenous representation in sports. Kendra reminds us Indigenous dance has healing attributes.
Jayroy Makokis is also Nehiyaw (Cree). He offers explainers on Indigenous tools and shares videos of himself playing drums, which hold cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous peoples, though their uses and meanings differ by community – often representing Mother Earth’s heartbeat. They’re used in powwows, ceremonies, and meetings. Makokis shares how scraping hides helps with his mental wellness.
Eagle Blackbird (Itzeaglee) is Ojibwe and shares humorous videos on TikTok and other social media. He reminds us that laughter is medicine, and even sells merchandise with that phrase.
Sherry McKay, Ojibwe, also shares funny videos on TikTok and other social media. She enjoys spreading indigenous awareness and humor. She also shares indigenous brands through her channel.
Michelle Chubb, Cree, also known as Indigenous Baddie, shares jingle dress dancing, a traditional Indigenous dance with prayer and healing. She’s also an advocate for the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women or MMIW. MMIWG2S+ is a movement to bring awareness to the fact that, on some reservations, Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than other women.
James Jones, also known as Notorious Cree, made hoop dancing viral. Hoop dancing is a Native American way to tell stories through dance with 1 to 30 hoops. It’s a healing and spiritual way to stay connected to the culture. There are hoop dance performances and competitions.
Shayla Oulette Stonechild (shayla0h), Cree, is the founder and host of the Matriarch Movement, a “nonprofit, platform, and podcast amplifying Indigenous voices through story, meditation, movement, and medicine.” She uses her platforms to discuss indigenous meditation, medicine, and movement. She’s been featured in Yoga Journal.
“Daxpitchee Axpaaliash—Bear Medicine. That’s who I am. That’s my name.”
Art, Culture, and Activism
Naiomi Glasses is a Diné (Navajo) weaver, designer, and model. She posts videos of life on Navajo land and her love for skateboarding, which has been a large part of her life. Naiomi also raises awareness about her experiences growing up with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, including the term cleft proud in her bio. She shared her experiences and celebrated Indigenous beauty with Sephora, stating, “When I didn’t feel like I belonged, my family was always there to tell me that I was loved, that I was beautiful.”
Marika Sila is an Inuk actor, stunt performer, model, and activist. Marika specializes in incredible stunts and special skills, such as nunchuck wielding, staff wielding, sword handling, hoop dancing, and fire spinning. She is also the owner of RedPath Talent Inc., an Indigenous talent agency and production company named after the Indigenous phrase, "Walking the red road,” which refers to walking a path dedicated to sobriety, health, and wellness.
Lily Joy is Diné (Navajo), Nahiłii (Afro-Indigenous), and Southern Ute. She is an actor and activist, best known for her dedication to advocating for the removal of Native American mascots around the U.S. She worked with Sofia Ongele to forward the People Not Mascots campaign and was featured in Teen Vogue in 2021 for her efforts. She noted that mascots were detrimental to how she perceived herself and felt growing up, and she continues to educate and spread awareness on this and many other Indigenous issues.
Waneek Horn-Miller is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Olympic athlete, broadcaster, and activist. Waneek carried the flame in the 1991 Sacred Run Canada, which started in Victoria, British Columbia, and ended in Kahnawake, Quebec. Participants in Sacred Runs pass a torch between different indigenous communities and nations to revive strength and unity and encourage cultural diversity, tolerance, and peace. Waneek also carried the flame in the 1992 Sacred Run North America, which began in Fairbanks, Alaska, and ended in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She continued to participate in both national and Olympic water polo games around the world. In the lead up to the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, Waneek was featured in TIME due to her role as the co-captain of the women's water polo team. She appeared nude on the cover of the magazine, holding a water polo ball in front of her chest to promote body positivity for women centered on strength and health.
Witchy Twitchy is a Diné (Navajo) streamer, poet, beadworker, and activist. She is outspoken about causes important to her, including awareness of Indigenous issues, reconnecting with Diné culture and language, and sharing her experiences with ADHD. Witchy is working to learn Diné bizaad, the Navajo language, and makes beautiful beadwork earrings. She also writes moving poetry that often connects her experiences and perspectives with Diné culture and imagery.
Teri Greeves is a Kiowa artist and beadworker who started beading at 8 years old as a form of expression. She gained inspiration from her grandmother, Suzy Big Eagle, who was a dedicated beadworker. She also notes admiration for her mother, who was never a beadworker, but spent much time educating others. Teri expresses her gratitude toward the first Kiowa woman to express herself through beadwork and bring this form of expression to the Kiowa.
Pakari is a musician and Kichwa Otavalo (from the Andean region of Ecuador). He makes instrumental flute music and does covers of other songs as well. His music is often posted alongside stunning visuals of nature, and sometimes he is also wearing beautiful Native clothing or beadwork.
Kinsale Drake is a Diné (Navajo) poet, editor, and playwright. Her debut collection, THE SKY WAS ONCE A DARK BLANKET, won the 2023 National Poetry Series. They continue to write, as well as teach mental health and storytelling programming for Native youth. Kinsale is the founder of the Changing Wxmen Collective and the NDN Girls Book Club.
There are so many Indigenous creators on social media sharing their culture, traditions, history, food, spirituality, and art. Share your favorites, too.
Nicole LaMarco is an Indigenous writer from the Kanienkehaka tribe, also known as Mohawk. Her career spans over two decades writing for Forbes, Yahoo, Real Simple, Everyday Health, Healthline, Medical News Today, Optum Health, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn and her Substacks.
KamiJo Whiteclay, AKA Daxpitche Axpaaliash (Bear Medicine), is a proud member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation located on the rolling plains of Southeastern Montana. KamiJo was born into the Greasy Mouth clan and is a child of the Whistling Water clan. Coming from the black lodge district, she was born and raised on the Crow reservation. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Institute of the American Indian Arts. Her work is very personal and intrinsic, intertwining the workings of Apsaalooké design and identity is how she understands and copes with the ever-changing world around her.
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