In 2005 my life changed when I attended the 2005 CBC Comedy Festival Gala, “Welcome to Turtle Island.” It was a night of standup comedy featuring Indian Country’s finest comedians. It was hosted by Grahame Greene and it featured Don Burnstick, Howie Miller, Art Napolean, Don Kelly, Gerry Barrett, David McLeod and the legendary Charlie Hill. It was taped for television and if you google it you’ll be sure to be able to youtube most of the clips from that night.

I was in the audience that night and I can honestly say it changed my life. Seeing/hearing comedy from “our own perspective” is something that I’d only heard of. I was working with Tonto’s Nephews (All Aboriginal Improv/Sketch comedy troupe) and we didn’t really delve into our “Native-ness” onstage other than us BEING Native and having a pretty damn funny name (I personally think that’s “Native-Enough”, but take this in context to what I’m saying). This was the first time that I’d really had my mind blown at a live show. During my time in Toronto I saw thousands of comedy shows, but this one was different!

After sitting through that show I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life but I was unsure of how I was going to do it. From an early age I wanted to be a comedian. I grew up watching standup comedy with my family. It’s all I ever really wanted to do. It’s what I felt like I COULD do because I was never very good at anything else.

The Big (to me, anyway) Announcement

Pretending To Throw Poison Candy at Hecklers

CBC Television/CBC Radio and Corkscrew Media are presenting: WELCOME TO TURTLE ISLAND TOO – A CELEBRATION OF ABORIGINAL COMEDY and I’m one of four Featured Acts on the bill.  This is absolutely the largest show of my life and after a lot of hardwork mixed with equal parts luck – I’m honoured to be a part of it.

The incomparable Lorne Cardinal is hosting and the show features Don Burnstick, Howie Miller, Don Kelly and ME.  I really have no words right now.  The affect that Welcome To Turtle Island had on me, coupled with the fact that I get to share a standup stage with Howie Miller and Don Kelly (personal favourites) absolutely blows my mind.  I’m honoured and I’m humbled.

Here is the LINK to the show website, ticket information and the show poster.

aboriginal comedy CBC Radio CBC Television native american comedy standup comedy