10 Indigenous Creatives to Follow on Instagram

It’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, and we couldn’t be more excited to feature some incredible talent that’s making waves across pretty much every artistic industry. From entertainment to music, to design and dance, there’s a whole realm of *Indigenius* folks making their mark, and not only are we here for it, but so is absolutely everyone! 

But, first 50% off

🪪 To celebrate this special month, there will be 50% off our online (SCIS) status card renewals!

Reduced to $9.95, this offer will expire midnight on July 31, 2023- so we totally encourage you to get started.

See our:

• Helpful guide on how to apply
• How to insert the coupon if using a cell phone ( it’s easy to see where to insert the code, if using a larger device)
• Use code: 1FT50

Now, with no further ado we share 10 standout stars that are doing great things that centre on their important ancestral ways and teachings.

Jeremy Dutcher

@jdutchermusic

Dutcher is a well-known Two-Spirit composer, who is a member of Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, Canada. They are classically trained in opera singing and piano, with lyrics spoken in their language of Wolastoqey-deriving from Saint John River, and reportedly has 355 native speakers.

Did you know?

They won Indigenous Music Album of the Year at the 2019 JUNO Awards, and have been on the panel of Canada’s Drag Race.

Miss Chief Rocka Dancer

@misschiefrocka

Angela Gladue – AKA Miss Chief Rocka Dancer of Frog Lake Nation has been performing Pow Wow and cultural dancing performances since the tender age of 6-years old. With an innate sense of rhythm and flair, she’s also trained in hip hop dance and has toured internationally.

Did you know?

Miss Chief Rocka Dancer has shared the stage with huge artists including The Halluci Nation (A Tribe Called Red), Nelly Furtado, TLC and Busta Rhymes!

Chief Lady Bird

@chiefladybird

A member of Rama First Nation, Chief Lady Bird is a visual artist whose work depicts intersectional Indigenous experiences, activism and greater depth into the meaning of land acknowledgments. She’s also illustrated for various Indigenous authors, Vice News and Flare magazine.

Did you know?

Chief Lady Bird in 2018 designed the #IndigenousPeoplesDay Turtle Island emoji for Twitter. Wowza!

Lesley Hampton

@lesley_hampton

A designer and model, Hampton is a member of Temagami First Nation and a major name in fashion. Her thoughtful pieces are size inclusive, dedicated to connecting body and mind, and speak directly to her Indigenous heritage, with powerful names behind them such as Third Culture Matriarch and Rainbow Warrior Pride Capsule.

Did you know?

Singer Lizzo is a huge fan, and often wears clothing from Hamptons’s various collections!

Emily Kewageshig

@emilykewageshig

Kewageshig is a poignant Anishnaabe artist of Saugeen First Nation and has exhibited and made murals across Ontario- from Tobermory to Toronto.

Did you know?

Kewageshig’s art materials are predominantly from the land, and she uses birch bark, live edge wood, and deer rawhide for her paintings.

Morning Star Designs

@morning.star.designs

Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa AKA Morning Star Designs is an illustrator, painter and muralist and is of Oneida Nation of the Thames. Her incredible prints are often sold out as they’re so well-loved, and she is a huge supporter of other Indigenous talent, organizing local Indigenous Art Markets via Instagram account @iamkitchener.

Did you know?

Otsistohkwa has created designs for Roots Canada, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Melody Charlie

@firstnationphotographer

Charlie of Ahousat First Nation is a photographer who uses the lens on her people to showcase narratives away from what the mainstream media captures. Instead focusing on sacred cultural stories, tender individual and family portraits, and living off the land, she has a gift for creating moving imagery.

Did you know?

Charlie has been doing photography for 3 decades!

Logan Staats

@logan_staats

Staats is a Mohawkfolk musician who is a member of Six Nations Reserve. As well as singing, he writes all of his own songs, plays the guitar and harmonica and is vocal on his platform in activism, shedding light on ‘land back’ for Indigenous rights.

Did you know?

His hit single The Lucky Ones was Number #1 on the Canadian iTunes chart immediately after its release! When the title and outcome match *chef's kiss*.

Tanya Tagaq

@tanyatagaq

Author and award-winning Inuk throat singer from Ikaluktutiak, Tagaq has released several albums and been penned by Rolling Stone as: “One of the avant-garde’s most dynamic performers.”

Did you know?

Premiering in 2022 with TIFF, Ever Deadly a documentary based on Tagaq’s musical journey was released, receiving rave reviews from CBC and Toronto Life.

Destiny Seymour

@indigo_arrows

Indigo Arrows, a homeware design studio based in Manitoba (and online), weaves Indigenous patterns and textiles throughout its versatile home goods that are luxurious yet practical. Destiny Seymour is the brains behind the collections, an Anishinaabe designer who uses classic Indigenous patterns ranging from 400 to over 3000 years old.

Did you know?

A portion of proceeds per sale at Indigo Arrows goes to Ka Ni Kanichihk, an Indigenous centre in Winnipeg that helps youth, women and men undergo job-skill training and provides mentorship.