Rising TikTok Star Sheds Light on Two Spirit Identity

Maisyn Semigak is another ordinary St. Thomas University student, but on TikTok, Semigak is famous. Since they posted their first video in November, 2019, they have blown up, gaining 14, 900 followers. Semigak’s profile @maisyns recently surpassed one million views.

Tiktok is a popular video-sharing app that lets users share and create short-form videos 15 seconds to a minute long. These videos can be from a variety of genres, like comic skits, dances, etc. Semigak’s content is often related to their two spirit identity and being Inuk in Canada.

“The term [two spirit] was only coined in the 90s, but that doesn’t mean that’s when it was made,” said Semigak.

Two spirit is an idea that has been around for a long time, but the term was necessary to replace derogatory colonial terms, like berdache.

“[Berdache] was the starting point for Europeans to be able to enforce their idea of gender roles and sexuality, as in only man and woman relationships,” said Semigak.

“[Two spirit] is an umbrella term for gender identities and sexualities. It isn’t one thing set in stone. It can be whatever you want it to be. It’s also very spiritual. In some cultures, two spirit people were shaman. It’s spiritual in the way that I identify with it, too.”

“I want to be able to look either male or female, or even like someone who has no gender. Fashion is important to presenting as either male or female. I also just really like fashion,” said Semigak.

Maisyn Semigak’s brother, Nicody Semigak, also influenced his sibling’s identity. According to a video posted on @maisyns on September 4, 2020, Semigak’s brother passed away when Semigak was ten. Before he passed, the two only ever spoke once and on the phone. He lived in Labrador while Semigak was in New Brunswick.

“He’s very special to me because in Inuit culture, historically, we believe that spirits get passed on, and I feel like his spirit was passed on to me. That’s why I’m two spirit,” said Semigak.

Semigak doesn’t often tell people about their TikTok fame, nor do they talk about the same subjects in person.

“Sometimes [opening up] is scary. It’s easier on TikTok where people understand what you’re saying and what you’re going through,” said Semigak.

While Semigak can express their two spirit identity in an understanding community on TikTok, there is a lot about being Inuit that Semigak doesn’t know. If Semigak could go to Labrador and spend time in the community where their family is from, they could learn from their family or from an elder, but here, Semigak feels detached.

“When I was smudged for the first time, it was kind of scary because I felt like I was going to do it wrong. I feel like it’s important for people to get into their culture, so it’s not lost. That’s the main thing I’m worried about, my culture being lost,” explained Semigak.

“I enjoy [TikTok] because I can build my own sense of community, finding Indigenous people that are in the same boat as me,” said Semigak.

TikTok allows Semigak to connect with people who may be more knowledgeable about Indigenous cultures, or people who want to be more knowledgeable.

“There’s this whole thing about being Indigenous, and our sovereignty, and our strength, and carrying our culture on. Even on TikTok, there are a lot of creators who have all this regalia. They know how to be. They know how to make ribbon dresses. I want to be like that, but I don’t know my culture,” said Semigak.

To explore their culture more, Semigak paints and does charcoal and pencil sketches. They also recently made woven baskets. Semigak wishes to one day create a book of art expressing their Inuit culture and two spirit identity.

In the meantime, Maisyn Semigak will continue to produce videos and gain followers, but Semigak doesn’t plan to turn TikTok into a career like other influencers.

“I love educating people. I wouldn’t mind getting money for TikToks. I mean if it gets there, I don’t mind,” Semigak said and laughed.