YouTube is honouring Native American Heritage Month by interviewing indigenous creators to highlight their values, cultures, and traditions. For those unfamiliar with it, we would like to take a moment to briefly explain what Native American Heritage Month is all about. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the diverse histories and contributions of people across North America while also reflecting on the rich legacy of the Native Nations.
This month, YouTube has featured 5 amazing creators to explore their YouTube journey, what inspires them, and how they plan to inspire the youth and future generations in their hometown and beyond, making a connection with their audience.
Highlights From the Creators
Let us guide you through the common questions asked of these creators and provide a detailed understanding of each one.
Eagle Blackbird
He describes his channel as a space where he discusses his culture and identity, blending humor and inspiration. He honours his Anishinaabe heritage from Walpole Island First Nation. Which is why he educates every viewer on his channel with stories of his community. His unique blend of comedy and storytelling is what makes his videos so engaging to watch.
When asked which video holds a special place for him, he replied he is proud of every content he has created, but one video that stands out is a short that allowed him to attend a major powwow and share interviews with his relatives, showing that powwows are welcoming for everyone.
Eagle Blackbird also pointed out that other indigenous creators inspire him greatly, such as Shina Nova and the 1491s, who emphasize community and representation.
ChiefSweetsUniverse
From the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Chief Sweets Universe focuses on reptiles and the natural world, teaching viewers what pets need and why, while rooted in Indigenous values. Her heritage informs the way she frames reptiles not as feared creatures but as part of our shared Earth. The video she is most proud of shows her simulating a desert oasis for 100 days, working through weather and incubation challenges, a testament to her perseverance. His core message emphasises the Indigenous perspective of connection with nature and the importance of caring for our planet.
Hlander
For the Native American Heritage Month, YouTube decided to honour various artists and content creators from the platform. Next in line for the interview is Hlander, who focuses on a wide range of topics, from skincare to cooking, trips, and pop culture chats.
As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, she motivates and normalizes her traditions of pottery, basketry, and beading. She is especially passionate about sharing stories of Choctaw resilience, such as those of the Code Talkers and the tradition of stickball, bringing historical depth to modern narratives.
RefereeClark
RefereeClark describes his channel as “what if Markiplier was Native American”: a gamer who stays calm, cracks jokes, and plays challenging or scary games. As a member of the Dakota Nation (part of the Oceti Sakowin), storytelling was a key part of his upbringing; his aunties and uncles would turn ordinary trips into epic adventures, and that energy translates into his live streams. RefereeClark emphasizes that Indigenous humour is healing and medicine, challenging stereotypes that Natives are only stoic or serious. He sees this recognition in the context of Native American Heritage Month as an opportunity to say, ‘We’re still here.’
V
V (a young woman sharing travel, self-care, and lifestyle diaries) keeps her content grounded in her roots, valuing community, connection, and honesty even in everyday moments. V’s long-term vision is to create a space that inspires people to feel proud of who they are, while also dreaming big, traveling, and creating new stories. She emphasises that you don’t need to choose between tradition and modern life; you can hold onto your roots while chasing new dreams simultaneously.
Conclusion
This Native American Heritage Month is about more than awareness; it’s about celebrating living cultures, resilience, and creators who bring Indigenous voices into modern spaces. Similar to how Native American Heritage Month is celebrated, YouTube also commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month to honour and celebrate the contributions of Latino Americans and raise awareness of their roots.
