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TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators

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Grow your TikTok presence, hone your storytelling skills and learn the building blocks for a thriving digital career.

Applications open

Applications open until September 21, 11:59 p.m., Central Time

Apply now

About

Do you want to grow your presence on TikTok?

Are you looking for the tools and techniques you need to make content creation a career?

The TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators, presented by the National Screen Institute, is a part-time, online training program designed for up to 40 Indigenous creators in Canada to learn essential skills for a thriving digital career. New this year, the program will expand to include Indigenous-owned small businesses.

Taught by industry professionals, top TikTok creators – including program advisor Sherry McKay (@sherry.mckay) – and members of the TikTok team, you’ll learn how to maximize TikTok to grow your community and share your unique stories in a safe and respectful online space.

The program is designed with traditional and spiritual elements and is presented through a series of 12 sessions delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays (two 90-minute virtual sessions per week over six weeks).

As we continue seeking opportunities to better serve creators from outside large urban centres, we have made it a priority for creators in rural and remote areas, who are accepted to the program, to be able to apply for a stipend to help cover the cost of internet fees above and beyond average use during training.

This edition was developed by the National Screen Institute and TikTok with curriculum guidance from Indigenous content creator Sherry Mckay.

At a glance

  • Applications open: August 21
  • Applications close: September 21, 11:59 p.m., Central Time
  • Selected participants notified: October 6, 2023
  • Training dates: October 30 to December 6, 2023, twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the day

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Key information

Program dates
October to December 2023
Location
Part-time, virtual
Cost
There is no application fee or tuition cost; all training sessions are mandatory

This training is for you if:

  • You are currently on TikTok as an individual or Indigenous-owned small business and want to grow your presence
  • You are eager to learn the skills and tools to best tell your stories
  • You want to learn how to collaborate with brands
  • You want to develop long-lasting relationships with experts and peers
  • You can commit the necessary time to complete the training

To be eligible you must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada, aged 18 or over
  • Be an Indigenous person: someone who is First Nation, Métis or Inuit
  • Currently be on TikTok and be active on the platform, with a minimum of four public posts in the last 30 days

Training topics

Training is part-time and includes a total of 12 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the day (two 90-minute virtual sessions per week over six weeks) on topics such as:

  • TikTok best practices: community guidelines, understanding analytics and building community
  • Career building: working with brands, content monetization, building a successful content business
  • Production: tips and tricks for video creation
  • Digital well-being: burnout, safety and imposter syndrome

Program phases

Our commitment to underrepresented voices

The National Screen Institute is 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.

Questions

Please review the FAQ below. Program co-managers Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill and Erica Wilson (accelerator@nsi-canada.ca) are happy to answer any further questions about the application process or training.


Frequently asked questions


Meet the faculty

Sherry-Mckay

Sherry Mckay

Program Advisor

Sherry Mckay is an Ojibway Anishinabe creator and stand-up comedian from Treaty 1 Territory. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and band member of Sakgeeng First Nation.

Sarah-Simpson-Yellowquill

Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill

Manager of Programs & Development

As manager of programs and development, Sarah works across many of the National Screen Institute’s programs and manages CBC New Indigenous Voices and the TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators.

Erica-Wilson-2023

Erica Wilson

Co-Manager, TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators

Erica is an award-winning MAYAA Anishinaabe artist/community connector located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory.


Alumni


Program Partners

TikTok manitoba-government Winnipeg Arts Council
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