In the day and age of tech-savvy individuals, where the majority of marketing most people view and the main way to connect with others is through social media, it is no wonder that Instagram, Twitter, and the like, are current platforms for influencers to highlight their powerful activist nature.
Instagram for instance, has only been around for less than ten years, yet has found a way to help users promote their thoughts and opinions, advocate for others, and begin revolutions while reaching millions of others across the world in only a short moment in time. This form of communicating and marketing to the masses is unprecedented and unrivaled by any other platform.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3R8L2Nls4_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Many Indigenous Americans, such as 15-year-old Autumn Peltier, the beautifully strong ‘water warrior’ pictured above, are making vast waves on social media by educating others on past and current social, environmental, and cultural issues in Indigenous communities as well as using a powerful presence and persuasive rhetoric to gain followers among their advocacy groups.
By having a tenacious social media presence, Indigenous American activists have been able to create positive thinking and make changes in their communities.
Let’s take a closer look at three Native people of influence.
Calina Lawrence
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Un1VNFV0_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
In an interview, Calina tells her followers that she is a 26 year old Suquamish from Salish territory of the PNW. She is a singer/songwriter who is a “national advocate/activist for many different causes.” Calina “ultimately wants to work however she can to eliminate unnecessary and unjust suffering caused by abuse of colonial power dynamics.” She is well-known for her advocacy during the recent pipeline protests as well as bringing awareness to Indigenous children in the foster care system, which she has personal experience with.
Click on her name above to follow her on Instagram and keep up with all the wonderful work she is doing and hear her amazing voice.
Jordan Marie Daniels
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XqBGJFaa_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Jordan runs (most recently in the 2019 Boston Marathon) to raise awareness for the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. The red handprint on her face not only signifies the great loss within Native communities but also states loudly and clearly that their voices will not be silenced and their communities are here to stay. Click above to follow Jordan on Instagram—#RunningForJustice.
Tomás Karmelo Amaya
https://www.instagram.com/p/B25zlZCJsPm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tomás Karmelo Amaya is a photographer, film director, and writer who is Yoeme, A:shiwi, and Rarámuri. He empowers Native communities “by way of high-quality, striking images that show dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity for the subject.” Through the use of technology as well as written word, such as poetry, he is able to convey powerful messages about Indigenous people. Check out his Instagram page to see many of these incredible images—many of them have been published throughout online magazines and blogs, universities, and even in the New York Times.
There are various Indigenous artists, influencers, and activists out there on and off social media that you can learn about. Simply by Googling basic keywords, you will be able to view lists on lists of who you might be interested in following. Maybe you’ll notice someone who has the same beliefs and values system as you do or perhaps they are fighting for a specific cause that is near and dear to your own life.
A primary benefit to following others who are positively trying to change the world is that their messages are worth listening to and thankfully, positivity can spread like wildfire; these cultural influencers are helping get others thinking about the world around them and to motivate them to take action in their own communities.
Get on social media right now and check out what Indigenous Americans have to offer our world AND go to Parade’s article, 25 Inspiring Indigenous American Activist Accounts to Follow to Learn About Indigenous People, Issues and Life to learn about 22 other activists!
Feature image courtesy from Autumn Peltier Instagram.
Last Updated on January 7, 2020 by Paul G
