Quanah George, from Kamloops, has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Quanah George
March 19, 2021 - 7:30 AM
A Kamloops man who started a TikTok account to share his Indigenous culture has captured a global audience.
Quanah George, a Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc member, began sharing his passion for his heritage through TikTok after being encouraged by his 15-year-old son.
In January, George's instructional video showing viewers how to make a rattle using deer hide and bone was seen more than 4-million times. George currently has more than 100,000 followers on his account, @quanahgeorge0. Through the social media platform, he informs his followers about his Indigenous art and culture.
“I kept it simple... so it’s the stuff that I really enjoy, it’s a passion for me,” he said.
George has been tanning hides, and using all parts of the deer to create rattles, drums, clothing and more after discovering a passion for it seven years ago when he found perfectly good hides at the Kamloops Indian Band landfill.
By using all parts of the animal, it’s a way to honour its spirit, he said.
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To develop his skill set, he would listen to the elders and then take that knowledge and use it in ways that work for him, he said.
George grew up with a father who hunted, who taught him to use every part of the animal but said there’s a lot of people who have helped him develop his passion along the way.
He wants to encourage more people to make the most out of the animal, as it’s a concept he’s been born and raised on.
Some people on TikTok don’t understand the culture but he explained this is a way of life for Indigenous people.
“I’m just trying to bring back the culture,” he said, adding his videos have created discussions and attract both people who want to learn how to make the art and people who want to just watch the creative process.
Eventually, he would like to establish a cultural centre to hold workshops and hold talking circles, he said.
But for now he’s sticking with TikTok.
Learn more about George through his social media channel here.
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