It's NAIDOC Week 2021 and we are proud to be celebrating the diverse cultures and people of Australia's Indigenous community. TikTok's dedicated NAIDOC Week Hub is a week-long programming initiative to elevate First Nations creators and content on the platform, as part of our commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive community.
Throughout the week which officially runs from July 4 - 11, we will be spotlighting a diverse group of Indigenous creators who've been nominated by their peers from our TikTok community, showcasing curated Indigenous music and hosting a series of unmissable live stream music shows from First Nations artists. You can find our NAIDOC Week Hub on the Discover page in the TikTok app from Sunday July 4.
Headlining this year's program will be an exclusive LIVE performance on TikTok from Indigenous Australian pop icon, Jessica Mauboy. Since capturing the nation's heart on Australian Idol in 2006, Jessica has gone on to slay the music industry with six top ten albums, 16 top 20 singles, 21 ARIA accredited Platinum records and two ARIA Music Awards - all while being a dedicated advocate for the First Nations community.
"NAIDOC Week is incredibly important to me as it not only celebrates the history and achievements of my people and culture but also allows communities to come together to reflect, heal and share powerful stories. TikTok is an inclusive space where these voices are elevated and can make a real impact. I’m so thrilled to be part of TikTok’s NAIDOC Week program alongside some very talented First Nations creators!," said Jessica Mauboy.
In recognition of this year's NAIDOC Week theme, 'Heal Country', Jessica will be performing excerpts from some of her favourite songs and exploring her personal and cultural connection to these tracks. During the LIVE stream Jessica will be fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a charity close to her heart. The TikTok community will also have a chance to connect with Jessica during a Q&A where she'll answer questions from fans! The must-see LIVE stream will be hosted on Jessica's TikTok account @jessicamauboy - on Monday 5 July at 7.00pm AEST.
#NOTHINGABOUTUSWITHOUTUS
Inclusivity is at the heart of TikTok, and as part of our commitment to recognising and elevating First Nations voices, we worked with the community to nominate the creators we're featuring during NAIDOC week. We are honoured to have collaborated with a braintrust of passionate and committed First Nations community members who've helped us create and shape our NAIDOC week program. We also worked with talented designer and Balanggarra/Yolngu woman, Molly Hunt, from Western Australia, to create all of the striking graphics and artwork for the Hub.
Lee Hunter, General Manager, TikTok Australia and New Zealand, says that TikTok continues to focus on being a platform that brings joy to everyone, and is a place where diverse communities and voices flourish.
“At TikTok we are proud to not only celebrate and elevate First Nations people but also collaborate and work closely with the community. On TikTok, a vibrant and diverse array of people and cultures from around the world have found a home. Providing a welcoming place for all people to be creative and find connection is important not only during NAIDOC week, but all year round."
NAIDOC WEEK ON TIKTOK - THE COMPLETE LOW DOWN
💃 Get down to: music performances LIVE on TikTok
Our NAIDOC Week music livestreams will feature both emerging and chart-topping Indigenous artists, inviting our community to experience performances from some of Australia's most exciting musicians. The line-up includes soulful singer-songwriter Miiesha, singer-songwriter Budjerah and internationally acclaimed superstar Jessica Mauboy, who will all be putting on epic LIVE streams, interacting with fans through Q&As on the platform and sharing the stories behind their songs. For a chance to get upclose and personal, tune in to the LIVE performances on the artists' TikTok accounts:
- Monday 5th July, 7pm AEST - Jessica Mauboy | TikTok @jessicamauboy
- Thursday 8th July, 7pm AEST - Miiesha | TikTok @miieshaofficial
- Friday 9th July, 7pm AEST - Budjerah Slabb | TikTok @budjerah
👩💻 Learn about: Indigenous creators and businesses
Throughout the week we're highlighting a diverse range of First Nations creators and businesses who've been nominated by their peers from the Indigenous community on TikTok. Proud Birri Gubba/Torres Strait creative producer Emily Nicol has joined us in developing the NAIDOC Hub. Take a sneak peek below:
@astrokirsten - Wirajduri woman and Astrophysicist, Kirsten Banks talks all things galactic and teaches our community about the weird and wonderful in our cosmos.
@joey_alt - Let Arrernte/Tiwi artist, Joseph Althouse, entertain you while he educates on First Nations people and their experiences.
@iam_deadly_feliciafoxx - Serving major looks, professional drag queen Felicia Foxx is a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti Sistergirl passionate about breaking down barriers for Indigenous & LGBTQ+ rights.
@clothing_the_gaps - Merch with a meaning. Check out this Victorian Aboriginal owned and led social enterprise, encouraging people to wear their values on their tee.
@thekooriecircle – Creator and artist Laura Thompson, a Gunditjmara woman from Melbourne, makes gorgeous contemporary Aboriginal designed and inspired jewellery.
@yarlicreative - Culturally and spiritually inspired Indigenous Art from Madison Connors, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi woman, who creates to heal, inspire and bring positive change.
🤳 Make videos with: curated First Nations songs
Head to the First Nations playlist on our NAIDOC Hub and TikTok Sounds page on the app to immerse yourself in Australia's best Indigenous music from past, present and emerging artists - specially curated by Emily Nicol. The TikTok community is invited to get involved and create videos with soundtracks from Yothu Yindi to Thelma Plum, The Beddy Rays, Barkaa, Kaiit and King Stingray. Full track list below:
Damaged - Miiesha
SABRE TEETH - Moss, Genesis Owusu
Party Tricks - Alice Skye
Black Swan - BLKMPIRE, Marion, RULLA
Little Things - Ziggy Ramo
B The One - Becca Hatch, B Wise
Back On Country - Troy Cassar Daley
Time's Up - Sycco
Without You - The Kid LAROI, Miley Cryus
Higher (Live) - Budjerah Ft Ngaiire
Blame On Me - Isaiah Firebrace
Better Things - Kee'ahn
Always Was, Always Will Be - Nooky
Brand New - Mi-kaisha
Must Be Love - Tseba, Electric Fields
Groovy - Barkaa
Changes (Like A Version) - JK-47
Dreamtime Princess - Mitch Tambo
Stranger Love - PNAU, Budjerah
Fly - Birdz
Peregrine - DOBBY
Never Apart - Pirra
Alone At Parties - Tessa Thames
FRESH - J-Milla
Daily Meditation - Aodhan
Get Me Out - King Stingray
Ngana Nyunyi - Tilly Tjala Thomas
Wait A While - Beddy Rays
Heaven Of My Own - Dallas Woods
We Have Survived - No Fixed Address
Move - Baker Boy
Hold Strong - Miiesha
Hurricane - Velvet Trip
So Done - The Kid LAROI
My Ways - Sycco
We Sing Until Sunrise - The Merindas
Yil Lul- Joe Geia
Missing You - Budjerah
Better Days (Airwolf Remix) - Baker Boy
Bagi-la-m Bargan - Birdz, Fred Leone
2560 - Becca Hatch
Gurrumul History - Gurrumul
Crusin' - Emily Wurramara
Treaty - Youthu Yindi
i'm a fucking wreck - Trials
Stranger - Dallas Woods Ft. Miiesha
Took The Children Away - Archie Roach
Acknowledgement of Country
TikTok acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many First Nations lands on which we live and create from. We recognise the continuing connection to Country and the diversity within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.