Shina Novalinga (Inuktitut syllabics: ᓯ̵ᓇ ᓄᕙᓕᓐᒐ, born 1998) is an Inuk social media personality, singer, and activist. She gained fame for posting videos throat singing with her mother on TikTok and Instagram, who has been a professional throat singer for many years. Her love of throat singing came from her mother and wanted to express her culture to those unfamiliar with it, which is how she started to create videos on social media. As of April, 2024 she has over 4 million TikTok followers and 2 million Instagram followers.
Shina Novalinga | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1998 (age 25–26)[1] |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Known for | TikTok, Inuit throat singing |
Early life and education
editShina Novalinga was born June 30, 1998 to her mother Caroline (Kayuula) Novalinga, a professional throat singer,[2] in Puvirnituq, Nunavik, Canada and moved to Montreal when she was four years old. She describes herself as half Inuk and half Quebecoise.[3] Novalinga learned to speak Inuktitut with her mother, and began throat singing under her mother's instruction when she was seven.[3] She has a younger sister named Catherine Lizotte.[4]
In the spring of 2021, Novalinga graduated with a degree in business management from John Abbott College in Quebec. She started a one-year program in Inuit Studies at Nunavik Sivunitsavut in Montreal in fall 2021.[5]
Social media
editTikTok
editNovalinga gained fame in March 2020 after she began posting viral videos to TikTok under the handle @shinanova which feature aspects of her Inuit culture.[6] As of July 2021, Novalinga's most viewed video portrays her mother brushing and braiding Novalinga's hair to the song "Savage Daughter" by Sarah Hester Ross, with 21.6 million views.[7]
Throat singing
editInuit throat singing is a cultural practice that became increasingly rare after Christian missionaries outlawed the songs as "Satanic" in the early 20th century. In Puvirnituq, Novalinga's mother Carolina Novalinga was one of four Inuit women who were taught the practice to pass on to younger generations.[3] The history of the game is that it was played by Inuit women while they were bored in their igloos, as the men were out and about going on long hunting trips. To help pass through the long cold winters, this game was played as a way to express their culture with enjoyment.[8]
In the traditional practice of Inuit throat singing, the game is played typically by two women that stand across from each other. They sometimes rock side to side and slightly bounce while they are singing. Between the two people, there is someone that leads by having a rhythmic pattern, while the other person has a response. This is what makes this an enjoyment and what makes the game so significant. Many times, this can last for many minutes because one of people might be low on breathe or it generally might be because they are laughing by looking at each other. Almost like a tournament style, the person that won the round would face a new challenger and this would all keep happening until the group of women wanted to stop for the day.[8] Shina emphasizes that her tribe welcomes anyone that is willing to come out and practice this skill. Each song performed carries its very own significance, such as mimicking the sound of animals and nature. It encompasses a variety of sounds that have different airflows to it. For example, some of the songs require control of airflow, while others are higher pitched. [9]
Novalinga first posted herself throat singing in her first video posted to TikTok in March 2020, and has posted dozens of such videos since. Novalinga's throat singing videos feature her facing her mother Carolina in an embrace, singing in a matched rhythm using their throat, belly and diaphragm. They often end in the two breaking song and laughing, which is how the game is normally played.[3] Novalinga has been vocal about the importance of throat singing both for her relationship with her mother and Inuit culture as a whole:
Throat singing is important in our culture because it had almost been a lost tradition due to missionaries. We are now taking it back and passing it down to keep it alive. Throat singing allows us to connect with the sound of nature and the animals. It also allows us to connect with our ancestors, our soul and our voice. The connection between my mother and I grows bigger as we throat sing together. It's always a beautiful moment for us.[10]
In June 2021, Novalinga released an album with her mother and Canadian producer Simon Walls, Mother and Daughter Throatsinging.[11]
Fashion
editNovalinga also uses her platform to model traditional Inuit clothing. She celebrates clothing handmade with local furs and animal skins by her mother Caroline, including atigik (parka), earrings, paaluk (mittens), nasaks (hats), and kamiks (boots).[10] In 2021, Novalinga modeled for a Sephora ad campaign featuring all-indigenous cast and crew in celebration of Canada's National Indigenous History Month.[12][13] In 2022, she was featured in Elle Canada modelling designs by Inuk designer Victoria Kakuktinniq.[6]
Indigenous activism
editNovalinga has been outspoken about her desire to educate others about Inuit culture and history. She frequently adds "indigenous twists"[14] to trends on TikTok as a way of sharing her culture, and has collaborated with Cree creators including hoop dancer James Jones and model Michelle Chubb.[15] Novalinga has also created videos[16] drawing attention to the oppressive history of assimilationist residential schools and to missing and murdered indigenous women.[10][17] In summer 2021 she posted multiple videos reacting to the 2021 Canadian Indian residential schools gravesite discoveries.[18]
Novalinga has used her platform to raise support for various charity causes as well, raising over $12,000 for an indigenous women's shelter in Quebec in December 2020.[19]
Discography
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Mother and Daughter Throatsinging |
|
References
edit- ^ a b Ritchot, Melanie (23 February 2021). "Nunavik-born throat singer showcases Inuit culture on TikTok". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Meet Shina Novalinga, Throat Singer and Proud Champion of Inuit Culture". December 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Foden, Stephanie; Balsam, Joel (15 April 2021). "A revival of Indigenous throat singing". BBC. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "A dream come true, a search completed: Montreal sisters reunited at last". windsorstar. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ Kunze, Jenna (29 May 2021). "Indigenous Throat Singers a Hit on TikTok". Native News Online. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ a b Cardin-Goyer, Camille (February 2022). "Reclaiming Their Culture". Elle Canada. p. 70.
- ^ shinanova (27 September 2020). "Inuk and proud #indigenous #native #resilient #strong @kayuulanova". TikTok. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Kataqjjaq Throat Singing - Arctic Kingdom". resources.arctickingdom.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Shina Novalinga Uses Social Media To Preserve, Celebrate Inuit Throat Singing". www.wbur.org. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ a b c Allaire`, Christian (8 November 2020). "This Inuk Throat Singer Is Bringing Cultural Pride to TikTok". Vogue. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ shinanova (14 June 2021). "WE MADE AN ALBUM!!!!!!😳🎉". Instagram. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Winnipeg Cree influencer featured in Sephora's first Indigenous history month ad campaign". CBC. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Sephora Canada Amplifies Indigenous Voices with its First-ever National Indigenous History Month Campaign". Cision News. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ shinanova (18 September 2020). "#duet with @bellapoarch as requested 🥰". TikTok. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ Nath, Ishani (19 March 2021). "An Interview with Shina Novalinga – Air Canada enRoute". enRoute - AirCanada. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ shinanova (20 August 2020). "Our voices matter". TikTok. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ Young, Robin; McMahon, Serena (15 April 2021). "Shina Novalinga Uses Social Media To Preserve, Celebrate Inuit Throat Singing". WBUR. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ shinanova (June 2021). "TW! #residentialschool #indigenous #CancelCanadaDay #orangeshirtday". TikTok. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jeremiah (24 January 2021). "This Inuk throat singer and her mom are keeping their culture alive on TikTok". CTVNews. Retrieved 4 July 2021.