How making viral TikTok videos about Inuit culture brought this mother and son closer
CBC
They still can't quite believe it — 11.7 million views and counting. That's almost 10 times the entire population of Canada's North.
"Honestly, it's kind of weird. It's super cool, but when you really think about it, you're like, wow, like, that is just nuts," said Braden Johnston, who made the viral TikTok video with his mom, Hovak Johnston.
The 56-second clip, posted last month, shows Hovak demonstrating how to cut a piece of muktuk using an ulu, as a spellbound Braden looks on, almost visibly salivating. That's all there is to it — there's no clever editing, no music, no gags in this video, just a simple and sweet moment shared between mother and son.
"I was like, shocked when it went to one million views, and then it just kept growing," said Hovak.
The clip is by far the most popular one they've made so far, but it's representative of many of their other popular TikTok videos. The Johnstons use the platform to shine a light on Inuit culture, but also their own evolving relationship — one which has not always been easy, or healthy.
In fact, the two credit TikTok with helping them to open a new chapter together.
"Well, it's kind of complex, our relationship. It didn't start off strong," said Hovak. "We were mother and son that we couldn't even be in the same room together for more than five minutes."
Braden, who now lives in Calgary, described how the relationship started to change after he went to rehab a few years ago as a high school student.
"It was kind of then when we really started to reconcile and reconnect with each other. It was my parents giving me a safe space to heal that really allowed me to open up and find myself," he recalled.
At the same time, Braden started to become more interested in his cultural identity as an Inuk. His mother, who now lives in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., proved to be an invaluable resource and inspiration.
"I've learned so much from her in terms of, what does it mean to be Inuit?" Braden said.
Hovak couldn't be more proud. She says watching Braden learn about and embrace his cultural heritage has been "really amazing."
Other videos focus on things such as sobriety, mental health and healing, and questions of Indigenous identity.
"We're very transparent, like we kind of share everything in hopes to inspire other people," said Braden.
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