Forty (40) Indigenous content creators from across Canada recently began training through the TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators, presented by the National Screen Institute.
The program offers free, online, part-time sessions over six weeks, developed with traditional and spiritual elements to empower Indigenous creators to grow their online presence and learn the essential skills for a thriving digital career.
An independent selection committee of Indigenous screen industry professionals, TikTok staff and Indigenous TikTok creators selected the cohort. This year saw more applications than ever before.
The program is led by returning program advisor Sherry Mckay (@sherry.mckay), an Ojibway Anishinabe creator from Treaty 1 Territory, as well as program co-managers Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, a filmmaker from Long Plain First Nation on Treaty 1 Territory and Erica Wilson, a Saulteaux artist/community connector from Treaty 1 Territory. We also welcome several creators as guest speakers, including Keisha Erwin (@wapahkesis) and more.
We’re excited to announce that for the first time, we’re hosting an in-person gathering for all 40 participants, who will be joined by the 2023 #IndigenousTikTok Visionary Voices!
Congratulations to the 2023 edition cohort listed below. Read more about each participant.
- Candace Bighead – Saskatoon, SK (@bentleyandcandace)
- Kiyanaw Bird – Saskatoon, SK (@bakedwasps)
- Olivia Bishop – Winnipeg, MB (@oliviacaribou)
- Jaqueline Buffalo – Maskwacis, AB (@sacrid.jacquelinebuffalo)
- Ryan Cameron – Duck Lake, SK (@crashcameron)
- Colleen Carpenter – New Liskeard, ON (@colleencarpenter1)
- Isabelle Chapadeau – Iqaluit, NU (@isapadeau)
- Bernice Clarke – Iqaluit, NU (@bernicekootooclarke)
- Jamie Cloud – Kettle Point FN, ON (@jamieclout85)
- Cora DeVos – Vermilion, AB (@littleinukphotography)
- Kathleen Doxtator – Southwold, ON (@yakotshanuni)
- Natasha Fisher – Toronto, ON (@Natashafisher_)
- Cashâ Foy – Smithers, BC (@twosp1r1t)
- Brittney Gladue – Edmonton, AB (@itsyourhealingsisterbri)
- Drea Halfe – Sherwood Park, AB (@dreaameline)
- Lesley Hampton – Toronto, ON (@lesley_hampton)
- Blackwolf Hart – York, ON (@204blackwolf)
- William Johnston-Jones – Neyaashiinigmiing, ON (@billybannick)
- Gabe Kematch – Winnipeg, MB (@gabe.kematch)
- Caleb Kirton – Winnipeg, MB (@calebcurtain0)
- Julie Laflamme – Edmonton, AB (@beauty2brows)
- Ashya Elizabeth – Vancouver, BC (@ashyaelizabeth)
- Owen Lloyd – Edmonton, AB (@owenwilllloyd)
- Jordan Longboat – Brantford, ON (@jordan.longboat)
- Nelson Mayer – Winnipeg, MB (@nelsonmayercomedy)
- Jocelyne McLean – New Hazelton, BC (@auntyburger)
- Ashley Michel – Kamloops, BC (@4generationscreations)
- Savannah Minoose – Vancouver, BC (@savannaherasmus)
- Sunrise Moocheweines – Cold Lake, AB (@naaytive)
- Douglas Morin – Saskatoon, SK (@lilwalkingbuffalo)
- Terren Pistun – Winnipeg, MB (@beading.by.tee)
- Chelsea Poirier – Clarendon, NB (@littlemuinbeads)
- Samantha Powderhorn – Winnipeg, MB (@sdfn_sammi28)
- Marissa Prosper – Fisher’s Grant, NS (@prospercreations)
- Zorga Quanaq – Ottawa, ON (@tatiggat)
- Julian Robia – Timberlea, NS (@julianrobia)
- Mikayla Seto – Richmond, BC (@mikiseto)
- Ira Timothy – Bothwell, ON (@thatnativeguy79)
- Jennifer Toland – Prince George, BC (@eliguk_outpost)
- James Willier – Enilda, AB (@rezbae80)
Our commitment to underrepresented voices
At the National Screen Institute, we serve and help develop the gifts of Indigenous creators.
We are committed to training participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres, those from regional and remote areas, and various religious groups.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Toronto, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. tiktok.com
TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators, presented by the National Screen Institute is made possible by TikTok Canada. NSI’s Core Funders are: Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.
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