Connection: These figures have both personally
Writer, journalist, author
Has experienced the Sixties Scoop and connections to
About
Author, artist, Inuk throat singer
Has experienced residential schools and discrimination
Shares her culture through throught singing
Defends her culture and the hunting practices of seals through
atricles and social media
"It's time to be respectful and promote healing and be aware
of what's going on . . . I have hope for Canadian citizens and
have hope for all cultures to be able to thrive."
Identity
Determination Topics
Activist, advocate for Indigenous women's rights
Land
Tagaq exhibits links to identity, tenacity for the future, and land
as she advocates for hunting rights by using her voice to share
her culture and speak out about issues the Inuit community
faces. Through throat singing, she expresses the beauty of
Inuit culture as well as the value of land to Inuit culture and
their claim to it.
Diverse Voices Mary Two-Axe
Storyteller, artist, environmentalist
Earley
Works to teach and help others find Indigenous identity
through his voice and teachings
Founded Nimkii Aazhibikong, a camp dedicated to
reconnecting people with Indigenous identity
Teaches youth about Indigenous culture and relations to land
Two - Axe Earley has changed the rules governing the Indian
Act as a result of her experiences with discrimination against
Beauty Indigenous women. As a result, many Indigenous women and
"With everything we do, the underlying theme is always
respect for the land and reclamation of the ways of our
ancestors."
Land
Dancer, hip- hop artist
Community Topics
Identity
Murdoch's narrative and efforts to educate others show his
strong ties to his identity, the environment, and other
members of his community. He specifically reaches out to
children through his environmental message, educating them
about the Indigenous way of life and relationships to the
land. His initiative, Nimkii Aazhibikong, educates children by
reclaiming the ways of their ancestors and handing down
information; by doing so, he creates a community that is
connected to its identity.
Topics
dealt with the impacts of Canada's troubled past,
including the Sixties Scoop and residential schools,
as well as the resulting alcoholism and identity loss.
While educating others, they both utilise their
profession as a way to express themselves and
reclaim their identities.
About
Tanya Tagaq
Voice
Beauty
Connection: Both of these influencers discuss
Indigenous peoples' ties to the land and
underline the value of upholding their customs
"After all these years, I'll be legally entitled to live on the
and traditional ways of life. Through their
reserve, to own property, die and be buried with my own
voices, they raised awareness of their land
rights while preserving their sense of self.
About
Isaac Murdoch
Voice
Beauty
Connection: Both Indigenous influencers are committed to
Determination
strengthening communities and empowering youth by
introducing them to their culture and traditions. Through
Community
their work, they raise awareness of issues including land
and the loss of identity and re-connect young people with
their Indigenous roots.
residential schools
Experienced homelessness and substance abuse, used
strength to build a better future
Uses literature to tell the stories of the past, spreading
awarenesss and creating a new sense of identity
"When we can do that and we take the time to share those
stories with each other, we get bigger inside, we see each
Richard Wagamese other, we recognize our kinship - we change the world, one
story at a time..."
Community
Voice
Topics Determination
Strength
Wagamese recounts his experiences with the Sixties Scoop
and the effects of residential schools through his storytelling
Beauty and artwork. He also starts to connect with his identity and
shares his ideas with his community. He exhibits strength as
he moves past the past and tenacity as he forges a better
future, educating people about the struggles he encountered
Connection: Whether it was due to the Indian
and building a strong community with a collective identity.
Act or the Sixties Scoop, both Wagamese and
Earley had previously encountered bigotry and
Lost Indian Status after marrying a non- Indigenous man
discrimination against Indigenous people. By
using their platforms to tell their stories, these
influencers raised awareness of the past and
pushed for change in the present.
About Experienced discrimination under the laws of Indian Act, lost
land and rights
Created change under the Indian Act for thousands of women
with her voice
people."
Strength
Voice
Topics Resiliance
Equality
Connection: Both of these Indigenous
influencers speak up about difficulties
the Indigenous community suffers, including
children now live different lifestyles. Her advocacy
alcoholism and high levels of violence
demonstrates courage and tenacity as she perseveres in her
in Indigenous communities as well as
battle for equality and establishes herself as a leading
discrimination against women under
advocate for the rights of Indigenous women.
the Indian Act. They raise awareness
while expressing their identity and
demonstrating their tenacity and resolve
for a better future.  Educates others on issues Indigenous communities face while
demonstrating beauty through music
About
Mixes rap with traditional Indigenous music styles and culture,
such as the regalia
Is a role model for children and makes music to empower his
community
"Having a foundation of spirituality always keeps me motivated
to create music that will have a positive impact on the listener."
Supaman
Spirituality
Voice
Hip-hop and Indigenous music are blended together in
Supaman's distinctive style to appeal to a wide range of
listeners and educate them about the problems that
Beauty Indigenous people must deal with. He encourages young
people to connect with their identity and discover who they are
while he raps about alcoholism, drug addiction, and a lack of
chances in Indigenous areas. He establishes a community with
a strong sense of Indigenous identity while connecting with his
faith and demonstrating a commitment to the future.