In recognition of Australia's Indigenous culture, history and creators, TikTok is joining social media platforms Facebook and Instagram in celebrating NAIDOC Week 2020. The video-based platform will be spotlighting First Nations creators through a week-long programming initiative as part of their commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive community and elevating Indigenous peoples and culture.
To highlight NAIDOC Week's 2020 theme, Always Was, Always Will Be, TikTok will be hosting a series of live performances, showcasing curated Indigenous content and featuring First Nations creators across the platform. From 8-15 November, creators such as make-up artist @sari_ella_thaiday, cooking extraordinaire @kookingwithakoori, comedian @balaclint, artist and dancer @katerinaleeroe , and rising rapper @jmillaofficial, will share content rich in Indigenous history, heritage, food and culture.
"TikTok has created a platform that allows people like me to tell their unique stories that people can relate to," said TikTok creator @balaclint.
"NAIDOC Week is important as it’s a time where we come together and celebrate the Indigenous community of Australia, teaching others about our culture and our ways."
@sari_ella_thaidayMy Darnley/Erub Family #fyp #darnleyisland #torresstraitislander #indigenousaustralian #traditional #islanders♬ UNDERWATER WONDERSCAPES (MASTER) - Frederic Bernard
Emily Nicol – a Birri Gubba/Ugar Island woman and curator – has worked alongside TikTok to produce it's music and performance program, with users being encouraged to share their own content in celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements, by using the hashtag #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe.
“TikTok is an incredibly diverse community and we're passionate about celebrating Indigenous culture, both on and off the platform," shared Lee Hunter, General Manager, TikTok Australia and New Zealand.
"I'm really excited about diving in to our NAIDOC program to watch talented First Nations creators showcase their creativity, listen to music and stories, and learn more about the experience of being Indigenous in Australia."
@jmillaofficial#fyp #indigenous #aborignal #blm♬ Unlock The System - J-MILLA
The nightly LIVE performance series will begin at 8pm AEDT on Monday 9 November, running through until Friday 13 November on the artists personal TikTok accounts. A collective of emerging and well-known Indigenous artists, the lineup includes household name, Baker Boy, as well as J-MILLA, Kee'Ahn, Sycco and Mitch Tambo.
The social media platform joins Facebook Australia and Instagram Australia who last week announced their partnership with NAIDOC Week – launching a collection of new tools and initiatives to recognise Indigenous people, stories and businesses.
