Kairyn Potts on How the World Learned About Indigenous Culture Through TikTok

What unique features of TikTok do you find helpful for reaching wider audiences and raising awareness about Indigenous issues?

K: I think that one of Tiktok’s strengths and also one of the biggest features that really helped the Indigenous community has to do with the algorithm. And the fact that for the first time, in sort of social media history, Indigenous people have gotten an opportunity to showcase both their culture, who they are, all of the different talents that they have. And it’s been pushed to a wider audience, one that you aren’t gonna get on apps, for example, YouTube and traditional social media, where we have all these other influencers who are non-Indigenous. 

So I think that that’s what sets TikTok apart. It’s that it has such a unique algorithm and you can’t really predict what’s going to go viral. These videos end up getting seen by sometimes millions of people who may never have known that you existed.

@ohkairyn

Traditional roles of Two Spirit people vary from nation to nation. The Winkte were warriors like no other, their prowess in warfare and scouting was unparalleled! With skills in archery and stealth, they navigated the rugged terrains with finesse and protected their people with unwavering bravery. Embracing their unique identity, the Sioux Winkte played vital roles in safeguarding their tribes, showcasing the strength of unity and the power of embracing individuality. #sioux #winkte #lakota #nakota #twospirit #foresight #warrior

♬ original sound – Kairyn Potts

Video source: TikTok

How do you balance educating your audience with keeping your content engaging and relatable?

K: I try to keep things funny. I think people learn better when they’re laughing and when they’re enjoying things. There is a time and a place to be really serious and to have powerful conversations, but I don’t think that you have to lose the excitement and the fun of learning when you’re trying to be powerful. I think you can be funny and powerful at the same time. So that’s what I try to do. I think that’s my secret, special sauce, but I think that just being honest and being transparent about things is always the way to go, and I try to keep my content a nice blend of the two.

Source: Instagram

How has TikTok fostered a sense of community among those interested in learning about Indigenous cultures?

K: It’s really helped a lot of Indigenous people who may have been disenfranchised or disconnected from their culture for whatever reason, and has really been such a great tool and a great source of education and of just that feeling of “wow, I’m not alone.” You know what I mean? And for many of our Nations in what’s now called Canada, we have so many different communities, hundreds of communities. And many of them are fly-in communities. Many of them are rural and isolated. They don’t get a lot of visitors. So having a place where you can go online to talk to people, to connect with people, to laugh, to cry, to share, to learn, I think that’s really important for many of our people.

@ohkairyn

Being mindful about the energies we hold, and how we express those energies around others that are vulnerable is a skill, one that Two Spirit people utilize a lot. Have you considered the energy you’re holding and how others are receiving it? ✨ #twospirit #nakota #sioux #winkte #trans #queer #energy

♬ original sound – Kairyn Potts

Video source: TikTok

In what ways does using a modern platform like TikTok contribute to the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures while adapting to the digital age?

K: I think that Indigenous people have always been at the forefront of technology and of utilizing technology to do many things, especially preserving culture. And I don’t think that people understand that. I think that there’s this idea of romanticizing this old type of Indian or sort of primitive misconception that Western technology came in and changed everything and made everything so much better. They don’t realize that many of our Nations have very sophisticated and very advanced technology. It just looks different. And it’s racist to think that a lot of the ways that we interact in our societies are primitive or aren’t as advanced or as effective as Western technology. So, utilizing platforms like TikTok, especially any kind of social media, I think Indigenous people have a very unique way of going about it in the sense that Indigenous people aren’t scared to share. 

Is there anything else you would like to add or share about the significance of TikTok as a conduit for wider audiences to learn about Indigenous cultures and social issues?

K: I think that there’s many opportunities for people who are non-Indigenous, settlers and allies, to be mass consuming Indigenous culture from the safety of their own homes on their tablets and their phones. But I guess I would just say as a call to action to all of those people who are consuming this content, to not let that support and that advocacy end on TikTok. To instead, follow it through and start to treat Indigenous people that they see on the street, or they pass by in the supermarket or whatever, start treating them like humans, and start treating them with the respect that they deserve. 

Also, start to do your own education outside of TikTok because TikTok cannot be your only source of seeing and experiencing Indigeneity and Indigenous culture, understanding that it’s up to you. Personally, this is just my opinion. I personally think that people who are non-Indigenous, who live in Canada, have a moral obligation to learn about the lands that they’re on, to learn about the original stewards. And also to learn about Canada’s history and the relationship of Canada to Indigenous people, and to learn about some of those atrocities. I just think that it’s the bare minimum. If you’re gonna be living in lands that aren’t yours, that have thousands of years of really rich heritage and preservation and culture. That that excitement to want to learn doesn’t just end on TikTok.