NAIDOC Week 2020 on TikTok includes live performances, music, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and a spotlight on First Nations creators

We're celebrating Australia's Indigenous culture, history and creators to mark NAIDOC Week 2020. The week-long programming initiative is part of our commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive community and elevating First Nations peoples and culture. 

To recognise First Nations Australians and highlight this year's NAIDOC Week theme 'Always Was, Always Will Be', we are hosting a series of live performances, showcasing curated Indigenous content and featuring First Nations creators across the platform. We're also encouraging the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements by inviting users to post using the hashtag #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe.

Throughout the week, which officially runs from 8 - 15 November, we're putting a spotlight on a range of engaging curated videos from First Nations creators. Comedy champ @balaclint, makeup artist @sari_ella_thaiday, kitchen whiz (and dad who can feed six kids on $20) @kookingwithakoori, artist and dancer @katerinaleeroe , and rising rapper @jmillaofficial, are offering the TikTok community a chance to immerse in Australia’s rich 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."

We also worked closely with curator Emily Nicol, a Birri Gubba/Ugar Island woman, to produce its #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe music and performance program. The TikTok community are invited to join First Nations artists LIVE every night during NAIDOC Week, for music, culture and Language. Nicol has also curated a Sounds playlist on the app, featuring the best Australian First Nations musical talent, spanning genre, decade and nation.


NAIDOC LIVE Program

NAIDOC LIVE Program

The nightly LIVE performance series kicks off at 8pm AEDT on Monday 9 November, running through until Friday 13 November on each artists' TikTok account. The livestreams will feature emerging and well-known Indigenous artists, inviting users to experience and share in the cultural celebration. The lineup includes Baker Boy, J-MILLA, Kee'Ahn, Sycco and Mitch Tambo. 

Lee Hunter, General Manager, TikTok Australia and New Zealand said, “TikTok is an incredibly diverse community and we're passionate about celebrating Indigenous culture, both on and off the platform. 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."

We also commissioned Molly Hunt, a 23-year-old Balanggarra/Yolngu designer from Wyndham, Western Australia to create the graphics and artwork for NAIDOC Week on TikTok. Her illustrations are inspired by First Nation people.

NAIDOC week programming goes live on TikTok from Friday 6 November and the community can enjoy this content in-app by visiting the #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe hashtag or following @tiktok_australia. 

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Acknowledgement of Country

TikTok acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many First Nations lands on which we live and create from. We recognise their continuing connection to Country and the diversity within their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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TikTok Livestream Schedule

Join First Nations artists LIVE on TikTok during NAIDOC Week for music, culture and Language. Tune in to LIVE performances on the artists' accounts:

  • Monday 9 Nov, 8pm AEDT – J-MILLA is an emerging rapper of the Mak Mak Marranungu people in the Northern Territory
  • Tuesday 10 Nov, 8pm AEDT – Soulful songstress Kee'Ahn is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman
  • Wednesday 11 Nov, 8pm AEDT – Yolngu hip-hop star Baker Boy talks through Language in his songs
  • Thursday 12 Nov, 8pm AEDT – Sycco is a rising Indie-psych artist with roots in the Torres Strait Islands
  • Friday 13 Nov, 8pm AEDT – Mitch Tambo is a pop artist of the Gamilaraay and Birri Gubba nations

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Sounds playlist

Make videos with First Nations Sounds during NAIDOC week, or anytime. When you're creating a video on TikTok, you'll find the Sounds page in the top of your videoing screen, or you can find a sound once you've got your footage. 


The Kid LAROI – Addison Rae

Sycco - Dribble

Baker Boy & Dallas Woods ft Sampa The Great - Better Days

The Merindas- We Sing Until Sunrise

Mitch Tambo – LOVE

Becca Hatch – Girl Like Me

J-MILLA - Fresh

Yothu Yindi -Treaty (Radio Mix)

Trials – I’m A Fucking Wreck

Miiesha - Twisting Words

Dan Sultan – Reaction

Dallas Woods – If It Glitters It’s Gold

Jessica Mauboy – Never Be The Same 

Kee’Ahn – Better Things

Thelma Plum-Better In Blak

Aodhan – Drive

Electric Fields- Shade Away

Kaiit – Miss Shiney

Warumpi Band- Jailanguru Pakernu (Out From Jail)

JK-47 – The Recipe

Leah Flanagan – Colour By Number

Zeek Power – When I’m Done

A.B.Original – Dumb Things

Tasman Keith – Billy Bad Again

Shakaya- Stop Calling Me

Ziggy Ramo– Ato Z

Briggs – Here Ft Caiti Baker

The Medics – Ocean Eyes

Mau Power  -Warrior Dance

Christine Anu – My Island Home

Black Rock Band - Struggle

Gurrumul  - Baywara