6 Indigenous Elders you need to follow online.

This Reconciliation Week, we are showcasing Indigenous voices.

Throughout this country, there are a plethora of Aboriginal Elders who are doing incredible things for their community, as well as spreading awareness and knowledge.

Many are now using social media to share their voice — building a strong audience who are interested in learning more about First Nations people and their culture. 

So with this in mind, we've rounded up six Aboriginal Elders you can follow online, not only now, but throughout the year as well.

Watch: What country means to Indigenous people. Post continues below. 

Manuel Pamkal. 

Manuel Pamkal is a Dalabon Elder and artist, who has garnered a strong following online. 

Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery is the TikTok profile that Manuel often features on, and he has done a significant amount of work with Top Didj over the years.

He shows visitors to the gallery in the Katherine, Northern Territory region, how to throw a spear, light a fire, and paint — after telling his story of life growing up the traditional way in the bush. But for those who haven't yet had the opportunity to visit Top Didj, Manuel and many others share their culture in fun educational videos on social media.

One of our favourite videos from him is one in which he speaks about childbirth in remote Indigenous communities and the customs of his ancestors. Another highlight is a video in which Manuel explains the process of young men learning to hunt in his tribe.

@topdidj Replying to @mossyjossy how women gave birth in the bush #manuelpamkal #fyp #learning #indigenous #bushman #humpy #topdidj #dalabon #aboriginal #blackfullatiktok #nt #traditional #indigenous #aussie #history #culture #tribe #education #learnontiktok ♬ original sound - TopDidj

@topdidj Manuel Pamkal who grew up in the remote

 Northern Territory in the Dalabon tribe, explaining how he was taught to hunt part 1 #fyp #manuelpamkal #learning #aussie #indigenous #nt #topdidj #australia #teaching #sharing #aboriginal #hunting #education #kangaroo #interesting #culture #native #cooking #viral #survivor ♬ original sound - TopDidj

Aunty TJ.

Tjalaminu Mia is a Menang Goreng Wadjari Noongar woman, and her connection to Country is lower south-west, Great Southern region, Western Australia.

She has worked tirelessly for her people over four decades to heal, empower and capacity build for leadership and self-determination — holding a range of positions in government departments, local grassroots community services, in lower and higher education including academia, social justice and human rights.

Although Tjalaminu is now semi-retired, she is still committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. And the way in which she does this is via her "Aunty TJ TikTok" Project, initiated by the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.

@auntytj Aunty Tj sharing an Elders Message of Support to our Youth 🖤💛❤️ #aboriginalyouth #aboriginalorganisations #aboriginalcommunity #healingoncountry #aboriginalelders ♬ original sound - 🖤💛❤Aunty TJ

@auntytj Aunty Tj Sharing Suggestions on Self Care🖤💛❤️#aboriginalyouth#selfcare#aboriginalorganisations#walkingcountry#healing#naturelovers ♬ original sound - 🖤💛❤Aunty TJ

Aunty Munya Andrews.

Aunty Munya Andrews is an Aboriginal Elder, author and barrister. She is also co-Director of Evolve Communities, a trusted authority for Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Ally Training. 

Recently, Mamamia spoke with Aunty Munya about her TikTok profile, and the content she shares. She has a regular video segment called 'Ask Aunty' where she shares insights into Aboriginal language and culture.

"We try to create a better understanding of First Nations people," Aunty Munya told Mamamia.

"It's all about education and helping people learn how to be allies. The TikTok audience gave me such a warm reception and asked great questions. I really enjoy connecting with everyone."

Plus, with a growing audience on Instagram and TikTok, Aunty Munya's social presence is set to continue soaring.

@evolvecommunities Ask Aunty: Is it respectful to tecah children about the Rainbow Serpent? 🌈🐍 #AuntyMunya #aboriginaltok #evolvecommunities #CulturalAwareness #askaunty #dreamtime #PracticalReconciliation ♬ original sound - Ask Aunty & Ask An Ally 🖤💛❤️

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM.

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM is a Nauiyu Elder and a renowned artist, activist, writer and public speaker. 

She was the first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher in the Northern Territory and is the founder of the Miriam Rose Foundation, which works to improve education and opportunities for Indigenous youth. 

In 1998, Miriam Rose was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to Aboriginal education and art, and her services to the Nauiyu community. In 2021, she was named Senior Australian of the Year.

The foundation regularly posts informative content on their Facebook page, including numerous videos from Miriam Rose.

 As she said in her acceptance speech after winning Senior Australian of the Year: "For years we have worked on a one-way street to learn the white people's way. Now is the time for you to come closer to understand us."

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM. Image: AAP.

Diyan Coe.

Ever wanted to know the meaning behind smoking ceremonies?

Diyan Coe is a Wiradjuri elder, who when she was just 14, created the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) logo. 

New Dreaming on TikTok is a gathering of Elders who share their stories and culture in a bid to "restore country". On this page, Diyan features regularly, whether it be unpacking the resonance of the symbols used in her paintings or the significance of a smoking ceremony. 

"It rids of any negative energy," she says about smoking ceremonies. 

"It cleanses the campsite out, and when you are welcomed or invited to somebody's country, this is what they'll usually do. This is very important, because any negative energy that you've walked along your travel is born."

@new.dreaming Smoking ceremony is the beginning of learning for non indigenous. Learning the importance of respecting the land you enter and the wisdom of the custodians of the land is where it all starts #elderspeaking #firstnationstiktok #firstnationstok #alwayswasalwayswillbe #aboriginalland #motherearth #careforearth #firstnations #earthcare #indigenouswisdom #sacredland #peace #firstnationspeople #elderspeaks ♬ original sound - New Dreaming

Mooks from Light of Min Min.

Last but certainly not least we have the TikTok page Light of Min Min. 

It's a page associated with Yindilli Camping Ground, located in North Queensland, which offers campers a unique Aboriginal experience — Elders telling traditional stories and explaining the uses of local bush tucker. 

@lightofminmin Plant for weaving baskets #bushcraft #nativetiktok #indigenous #ancient #planttiktok ♬ original sound - Light of Min Min

@lightofminmin Abriginal healer from the most ancient rainforest on earth #abriginal #nativetiktoks #plant #planttiktok #bushmedicine #australia #ancient #rainforest ♬ original sound - Light of Min Min

Mooks is one of the Aboriginal Elders that features most regularly on the TikTok page, sharing insight into the most ancient rainforest on Earth — the Daintree Rainforest. 

So if you've ever been interesting in unearthing some of the knowledge behind bush tucker, this is one great resource to check out!

This article was originally published in July 2023, and has since been updated with new information.

Feature Image: TikTok @evolvecommunities/@auntytj.