Indigenous Travel Bloggers and Influencers you Need to Be Following

Follow these Indigenous travel bloggers to celebrate diversity in the travel community. At the end of this article, I share a few suggestions for ways to be a supportive ally to Indigenous communities.

Photographers

@leahrosephoto

Leah Rose is an Ojibwa Anishinaabekwe who considers herself a
visionary, artist, muse and photographer.

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In my culture, many times we cut our hair to signify the birth or death of a loved one. I began to grow my hair out in 2015 when I began my journey down the Red Road. I cut my hair in solidarity for our Black relatives. I cut my hair for the rebirth and paradigm shift that is occurring in our country. I wish I could be on the front lines, but I know that my job right now is to raise my son. The new generation of revolutionaries. I hope to teach him to live the good life. Mino bimaadiziwin. #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Leah Rose (@leahrosephoto) on Jun 20, 2020 at 1:19pm PDT

@athabasca.adventures

Amanda is an Alaska Native, still growing up in Alaska.

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I’m feeling so accomplished to have finally finished my ribbon skirt! This sewing project was so fun and made me feel so happy! There are so many ribbon skirt designs but I was definitely inspired by @byellowtail, her ribbon work jumpers are so amazing! Also…Ribbon skirts were made and worn by native Americans way back in the 18th century, of course they have changed over time, some say they are a symbol of strength and sacredness for our natives and others say it’s a symbol of surviving cultural genocide, either way, I have read the history behind these skirts and there are so many different meanings to them, but what I love most is that natives made them and wore them and I’m so happy to have made this one! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • #alaska #photography #ribbonskirt #photooftheday #nativeculture #photographers #native #capture #indigenous #sonya7rii #sonyalpha #sonyportraits #athabascan #portraitphotography #portrait #portrait_vision #nativeamericanstyle #lightroom #sony #photograph #visuals #visualsoflife #memoriesmade #california #natives #travelphotography #travelstyle #dametraveler #photoshoot #portraitphotography

A post shared by ⋘ A M A N D A ⋙ (@athabascan.adventures) on Sep 7, 2019 at 8:16am PDT

@testonactocphotography

Tiffany is a Diné/Navajo Photographer living in Anchorage, Alaska.

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In honor of Native American Heritage month I am hoping to photograph and share more native portraits this month. I am full Diné/Navajo from the Navajo Nation currently living in Alaska. While here I met another beautiful Navajo lady who has lived here almost all her life and my sister by clan with family roots that go way back. So I figured this was a good way to represent her/our culture and identity while living away from our native land. #diné #navajo #navajosinalaska #fireweed #turquoise #portrait #portraits #portraiture #portraitphotography #navajophotographer #hatcherpass #alaska #alaskanphotographer #nativeamericanheritagemonth #reclaimyourpower

A post shared by Tiffany Estonactoc (@testonactocphotography) on Nov 3, 2019 at 9:59am PST

@lisamilosav

Lisa Milosavljevic is a photographer based in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

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Tested some new lighting gear last week with my beautiful friend, Rachel. It was so great to have a fun and chill shoot – felt like a long time! Thanks for sitting with me and for your endless generosity in everything you do!

A post shared by Lisa Milosavljevic (@lisamilosav) on Mar 13, 2020 at 5:45pm PDT

@teaandbannok

Tea and Bannok https://teaandbannock.com/ is a collective blog by indigenous women photographers in Canada.

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On positive representation and starting it young, on the blog. Link in profile. // • • • #teaandbannock #teaandbannockquotes #tenillekcampbell #indigenousphotographer #babybooks #indigenousbabybook #representationmatters #ndnjoy #collectivepost #communitypost

A post shared by tea&bannock (@teaandbannock) on May 11, 2020 at 11:38am PDT

Here is one of the individual members’ Instagram account:

@sweetmoonphoto

Tenille K Campbell is a PhD student, poet, and photographer who is Dene from English River First Nation, Saskatchewan and Métis from the St. Laurent/Batoche area. Sweet Moon Photography

She posts photos of her photography session subjects as well as some of her poetry. Check out her highlights for books she’s reading for her thesis.

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if I knew Austin and Phoenix was gonna be my last and only big trip of the year, I would have done more 😂. I have a Q&A with Hannah on the @teaandbannock blog, go check it out. But for now, remember, thick thighs save lives 👅😂 // • • • #sunsetsilhouette #phoenix #lasttripof2020 #imisstravel #precovidlife #sunsetporn #instagramfriends #thickindigenouswomen

A post shared by tenille k campbell (@sweetmoonphoto) on May 4, 2020 at 2:36pm PDT

Indigenous Travel Bloggers

@makamonture

Maka Monture PÄki is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk)/Lingít (Tlingit)/Filipina woman who considers herself a poet, activist, and creator. She regularly writes travel articles for Panorama Journal.

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• A B U N D A N C E • Hello, world. I’ve been working on my relationship with hope. Our ancestors- they fought for our right to hope. • I’ve been holding myself accountable to the promise I made to defend time to create – and not hold art ransom from myself for western goals. Indigneous art is so incredible, we STILL create beautiful things through ALL the HORRIFIC things then have happened to our grandmothers and grandfather and sisters, and it’s all healing, & we use HUMOUR, it’s all medicine, it’s all so beautiful, and our art will EXIST long after our these physical bodies change form. • I’ve worked in climate, in youth mentorship, and I’m expanding my experience in United Nations – I’m humble and honored to learn and be a part of something so much bigger than my role in this lifetime. I have hope for the future I believe in, despite the system of bureaucracy and oppression in these spaces. If we lose hope, we dishonor our ancestors- they fought for our right to hope. • I suppose in a way, my climate work and youth work was to contribute to a better reality for our grandchildren. So there’s a form of a coherent, healthy land to teach them – to help inform their dreams and let them live lives of joy. I’m cautiously daring to embrace the possibility of abundant joy and I’m getting closer to diving in. • In @manaolahawaii for #manaolamonday Shot by @aorere_skywalker in Waitakere, New Zealand. • #strongresilientindigenous #indigenous #newzealand #manaolahawaii #reclaimyourpower

A post shared by MAKA MONTURE PÄKI (@makamonture) on Feb 17, 2020 at 2:29pm PST

@reddoorponderings

Catherine Nesus is a Maori woman who considers herself a content creator and blogger who is aiming for more diversity in travel. Check out her blog Red Door Ponderings.

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Went to my first festival over the bank holiday weekend. Definitely an eye opening experience for this old lady! I felt both underdressed and overdressed. There was an unexpected level of glam combined with many more nipples and butt cheeks than I have ever seen in one place 😂 I wish my 18 year old self could have seen the amazing range of body confident babes rocking their best selves – and having a bloody good time. And wearing whatever the hell they wanted. My flower grown and glitter was enough for me. A young Māori man took the time to test me on my moko, why I had it, where I got it and it’s significance. He had been doing it all day to anyone he could see wearing moko, kiri tuhi or Māori and Pasifika inspired tattoos. I can see why he was doing it, to understand others understanding of why they are wearing it. There were a lot of people who@would have fallen into this category – so he would have had a busy day. Will def head to another festival next summer and maybe be a bit more courageous with my outfit!!!

A post shared by Travel | Food | Culture (@reddoorponderings) on Aug 29, 2019 at 3:28am PDT

“Native writers tell all when it comes to traveling on native lands, traveling as a native person, and advice on respecting and preserving the culture.”

You can read articles published online by Indigenous writers linked here: Traveling While Native.

Being A Supportive Ally To Indigenous Communities

There still needs to be support and alliance from non-indigenous people. Here are a few ways that artist and designer Tania Larsson suggests:

• Buy directly from Indigenous artists and artisans. Don’t buy from people who use terms like “Native-inspired”. Just because there is a piece of turquoise or a feather on it doesn’t make it native.
• Do some research, stay informed, and don’t be afraid to ask those who are indigenous about what is culturally appropriate.
• Remember to leave your privilege at the border. It will help you experience the North in a life altering way.

The above section has been excerpted from the blog post Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To The Arctic And Supporting Indigenous Artists.

I hope that you’ll take the time to check out the Indigenous travel bloggers and photographers listed above. If you know of others I should take a look at please let me know! I always love looking at new-to-me travel blogs!

Looking for other travel bloggers to check out?

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