TikTok’s #NativeFamily Is A Perfect Way To Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is finally here, and we are taking the time to commemorate and celebrate Indigenous culture.
An initiative that started back in 2009 during the Obama administration, the month of November is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of Native and Indigenous communities, and educating Americans to learn more about the rich history of these cultures.
TikTok has recently launched #NativeFamily as a way for creators to share videos about their Native heritage with mass audiences. With content ranging from traditional ceremonial dances in festive garments to recipe videos for cultural dishes, you’ll be left marveled at what you can learn. Here’s a list of our favorite creators who have helped #NativeFamily became such an insightful feature to engage in.
1. @tiamischik
This mother-daughter bond is amazing in teaching us the importance of being proud in our heritage and the importance of feeling confident in our own skin.
Her hair teaching is just *chef’s kiss.*
We had to throw in just one more video of a beautiful hair teaching that highlights the value of hair in indigenous culture. This is just a beautiful thing to watch.
2. @dineaesthetics
This favorite on our list presented the 3 ways you can do to be a better “ally” to Indigenous Peoples. Make sure to note these really important key points. So many people want to be allies to marginalized communities but there is a way to do it wrong and you want to avoid that.
3. @desertndn & @desiertoindio
This duo shared their beautiful voices to showcase indigenous music, leaving audiences touched at this aspect of daily tradition and custom. Music is such an important part of any culture. Even in Latino culture, you can tell where the music was created based on the instruments and associated dances.
4. @tapache
“We celebrate the survival of our ancestors. We carry the stories of our ancestors. We are the result of our ancestor’s prayers. We are resilient. Now, it is our turn to continue their legacy.” And these beautiful dancers do that & more.
5. @navabroisss
This creator emphasized the importance of overcoming stereotypes and being proud at the success he has achieved despite others’ implicit bias. We’re so excited to see him overcome those obstacles. Never sell yourself short because people might think you should.
6. @kobykpb
These two Afro-Indigenous creators showed us their pride while dancing in men’s festive garments to represent their unique heritage. The outfits are so amazing and beautiful that it is hard to take your eyes off of them as they dance. Definitely worth some TikTok time.
7. @kkymonn
This creator gave us a step-by-step recipe on how to make traditional Diné Kneeldown Bread and we are left in awe of the process. Food is so important in showing off who you are and where you come from. Now, go try to make some indigenous dishes at home.
8. @matthatterplays
This creator took to teaching audiences about the history of ancient Foot Messengers, a topic I’m not sure any of us really knew about. This video breaks down the history to show how valuable their tribe position was.
9. @doeknowsthings
This creator did an impromptu interview with Lakota costume designer Cathy Smith. The designer spoke about her life as a woman on the reservation and how she was able to translate her cultural upbringing into her garments.
10. @thebrittneyrae
Lastly, we love this roundup of ten foods that you might have not realized are native to the Americas. Next time you eat or cook with these ingredients, you can feel informed on where exactly they originate from.
For more information on Native American Heritage Month and how you can get involved, visit https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov to learn more.
