Winnipeg Comedy Festival

On May 7, Come ‘N Get Your Auntie lands on the Gas Station Arts Centre stage as the hilarious cast of female and Two-Spirited Indigenous comedians premiere their Winnipeg performance. Presented by the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and IndigE-girl Comedy, the stand-up comedy lineup lets you in on the joy, laughter and humour that has always been a part of the Indigenous way of life.

“So often, Indigenous identity reaches audiences through the lens of residential schools and colonialism. In this performance, we want to share the joy, laughter and humour that has always been a part of the Indigenous way of life,” shared Debbie Courchene, Artistic Director of IndigE-girl Comedy and owner of Miskoway Productions. “We created this showcase to break barriers for Indigenous comedians to access and practice their comedy vocabulary. By engaging with a range of established, emerging and aspiring comedians, we hope to build a community of support that will encourage Indigenous women and LGBTQA2S to advance their artistic practices in comedy.” 

Anishinaabe, Two-Spirited comedian, journalist and producer, Issa Kixen, hosts the matinee stand-up comedy show. From WOKE Comedy Hour to CBC to the Bannock Babes Drag Collective to APTN’s Laughing Drum, Kixen has been featured on stages and on the air across Canada and the US. Come ‘N Get Your Auntie’s featured performers include: • Anishinabe content creator and TikTok star, Sherry Mckay from Sagkeeng First Nation

• Winner of the Native American New Play contest for her production of Neechie-itas, Jo MacDonald

• Elder, Actress and Stage Manager, Heather Bjorklund

• Duck Bay comedian, filmmaker and TOSketchFest ‘Best of the Fest’ winner, Joyce Delaronde brings her character we know and love to the stage: the brutally honest grandma, “Skinny Kookoo”

• Known for her role on the "Crying, Loving and Leaving" Radio Show, content creator and performer, Shelby Tobacco of Northern Manitoba’s Mosakahiken Cree Nation rounds out the cast

The matinee performance goes live at the Gas Station Arts Centre in Winnipeg on Saturday, May 7 at 2pm. Tickets are available for the in-person performance and the digital live stream here. 

“It was important for us to have this performance available both in-person and online. As these incredible female and Two-Spirited Indigenous comedians take the stage, we want to be able to share this performance with both urban and remote communities,” shares Courchene. “We hope this performance helps Indigenous youth envision themselves on major festival stages alongside talent of all backgrounds.”