Fifteen of the top First Nations social media stars have been selected by Screen Australia and Instagram, with the announcement of the 2021 recipients of a new training and funding program. Launched earlier this year, the First Nations Creator Program is an initiative in partnership between Screen Australia’s First Nations department and Instagram Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social media creators, aimed at accelerating up-and-coming local talent and amplifying diverse voices across the social media landscape.
The fifteen selected recipients of the inaugural First Nations Creator Program are:
Andrea Fernandez @prettyumvegan
Meleika Gesa @endlessyarning
Kaycee Haydon @officialmsauzzi
Alicia Johnson @8983aj
Emily Johnson @darthem123
Trisha Lindgren @traelblazer
Nathan Lyons @kookingwithakoori
Meissa Mason @meissamason
Tait McGregor @taitmcgregor
Naarah @n.a.a.r.a.h
Nich Richie @nichtopher
Merinda Slater @journeyofawinyarr
Melissa Smith @melle.ngunnawalartist
Kantesha Takai @kantesha_takai
Sari-Ella Thaiday @sarithaiday
The program will include training sessions and workshops commencing from 23 September, covering product, creativity, safety and well-being, along with mentored guidance on digital production and social media strategy. Creators will also receive production funding of $10,000 each, to help them create Reels or IGTV content for their Instagram account.
During the program, the selected creators will also be connected to key industry contacts including Instagram and Screen Australia representatives, management teams, leading First Nations creatives, and other established social media creators. Upon completion of the program, participants will each be assigned an Instagram partner manager to continue their journey on the platform.
Graeme Mason, Screen Australia’s chief executive officer, said: “We were incredibly impressed with the high level of applications we received from creators across the country and we are excited to announce our successful recipients today. We are constantly looking for new ways to support content creators on the platforms they are connecting with audiences on and the accessibility of social media allows us to, through this Program with Instagram Australia, nurture new voices and champion extraordinary First Nations creators. We look forward to this year’s cohort creating new content and reaching new audiences on Instagram.”
Zaac d’Almeida, strategic partnership manager at Instagram Australia, said: “It’s been thrilling to witness the creativity of the many First Nations creators who applied for this inaugural program. The fifteen recipients for this year’s program represent the diversity of emerging Indigenous creators who are using Instagram to amplify their voices and share their stories. We’re proud to partner with Screen Australia and we look forward to seeing this new generation of creators develop their incredible perspectives in the months ahead.”