The Got Land? comedy tour has been making its way across Canada and now it is bringing a comedy workshop and show to Ontario.
Got Land? helps First Nation, Inuit and Metis entertainers tell jokes, according to its founder Janelle Niles, and the show expresses solidarity with humour.
Niles is a Black, Mi’kmaw, two-spirited woman, who is determined to push the boundaries of having an Indigenous comedy circuit.
“Before we were just tokenized, there could only be one Indigenous comedian,” says Niles.
Co-comedian Jenn Hayward discusses the importance of authenticity within comedy, and emphasizes the importance of confidence.
“Don’t think about what people want to hear, I mean they need to laugh, but your point is what you want to talk about,” Hayward says.
Got Land? Comedy also offers workshops to anyone Indigenous or non-Indigenous. The Got Land? Comedy Workshop will take place Saturday, March 16 at the Mohawk Community Centre on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (Deseronto) from 12 to 5 p.m. with a 7 p.m. performance.