Native American comedians are on the rise. They're on TV, on the radio, in movies, in books, in magazines, on social media—you name it.
It's a special gift to pull off being witty and funny, bringing joy and laughter to an audience. Crafting parody and satire in just the right way to make people crack up without getting too offended is an art form, indeed.
The following ten comedians all possess that skill. They have each made their mark in the world of comedy in their own way. And they are all Native American and proud of it.
Read on and follow them!
1. Ryan McMahon
The hysterical Ryan McMahon is a successful Anishinaabe comedian, writer, and podcaster. After graduating with a theater degree, he got additional training and graduated from Second City Conservatory, which is like Harvard for comedians and actors.
McMahon became the first indigenous individual to perform and record a mainstream stand-up comedy special—”UnReserved.” And in 2019, CBC Comedy listed McMahon on their list of top 15 Canadian comedians to watch. Kudos to him!
On a more serious note, McMahon produced a documentary in 2017 titled “Colonization Road,” in which he brings awareness and attention to indigenous communities in regards to the issues surrounding construction and colonization.
Check out his very own network, Indian and Cowboy, that he started in 2014.
Ryan McMahon is a jack of all trades and a powerhouse in Native comedy!
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2. Lucas Brown Eyes
“Yes, that’s his real name.”
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Lucas Brown Eyes is from the Oglala Sioux tribe. He didn’t come from much monetarily, but what his family lacked in money, they made up for with love and support. When Lucas was in high school, they moved to California so that he could attend an art school and begin studying Film and Television. They believed in his potential.
He studied sketch comedy and improv and has been a member of comedy groups in the past.
Fast forward to 2014 when his career took off: he was hired by Disney to join its writing team where he wrote for multiple shows.
Brown Eyes currently focuses on comedy writing for TV shows and also has a passion for advocating for the Native Pride Project. He should definitely be on your shortlist of Native American comedians to watch.
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3. Adrianne Chalepah
It’s definitely true that you can be both beautiful and funny. (Oh, and intelligent too!)
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Native American comedian Adrianne Chalepah was born and raised on the Kiowa/Comanche/Apache (KCA) reservation in Oklahoma. Once Chalepah enrolled in college, she began having an interest in stand-up comedy; she continued with her passion until graduating Magna Cum Laude. After graduation, she was asked to join a stand-up comedy tour called “49 Laughs Comedy.”
Later in her career, Chalepah got the privilege to open a campaign event for past First Lady Michelle Obama. Adding to her success, she is the founder of the indigenous femme comedy troupe, “Ladies of Native Comedy,” and is the author of “Funny Girl,” an anthology.
Adrienne Chalepah really is a triple threat, and one of the pioneering ladies of Native comedy.
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4. Brian Bahe
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You can't talk about Native American comedians without mention of Brian Bahe. Bahe is both an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and a member of the Hopi and Navajo Nation. He is another jack-of-all-trades in that he not only focuses his career on comedy but also on writing and modeling jewelry. He is gay and proud and currently resides in New York City.
Bahe is an up-and-coming comedian who was listed as IllumiNative’s “25 Native American Comedians to Follow in 2020.” Not only that, but he co-hosts stand-up comedy nights in Brooklyn, frequently goes on comedy tours, and performs in clubs and theaters around the United States.
Going from getting an English and Psychology degree to becoming a professional comedian is quite the feat—but Bahe is doing it well!
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5. Dash Turner
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Comedian and writer, Dash Turner, is of the Yurok tribe. He was also named one of IllumiNative's “25 Native American Comedians to Watch in 2020.”
Turner started a hilarious Native American variety show called “No Pilgrims!” which ran during the Turkey Day season. It was quite a hit.
The Los Angeles Times and Uproxx have featured his work, and he has served as a satirical editor for Flexx in the past. If you like sarcasm and snark, you'll like Turner's brand of Native comedy.
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6. Monique Moreau
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She’s super sweet, cute, and hilarious. The best package!
This (currently in) Los Angeles gal, Monique Moreau, describes herself on Twitter as pîtoteyihtam, Cree/Saulteaux, adoptee, comedian, children’s tv writer, pianist…and #ActuallyAutistic.
Her sense of humor shows throughout her social media accounts and the few YouTube videos out there of her singing comedic tunes.
Moreau performs at comedy venues and festivals throughout Canada and the South and Northwest USA. You can also catch her at a yearly show featuring comedians and musicians on the autism spectrum, called “Weighted Blanket.”
She obviously brings joy and cheer to many through her passion for comedy!
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7. Nakkiah Lui
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Nakkiah Lui is an Indigenous Gamilaroi/Torres Strait Islander from Australia and currently lives in Sydney. She has written and starred in numerous films, TV shows, and plays.
This talented writer/comedian has been awarded the Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright Award, the Malcolm Robertson Prize, a Green Room Award for “Best Independent Production,” and the Nick Enright Prize for playwriting in the 2018 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards for “Black is the New White.”
Want to see something she is currently in? Her latest and greatest that she co-hosted and starred in is the “end of the world comedy show” called “Preppers.” Read all about it in Variety.
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8. Paul Rabliauskas
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Paul Rabliauskas is of the Poplar River First Nation and raised in Winnipeg.
He has a contagious smile and will definitely make you laugh.
CBC Gem featured him in their 2020 comedy series called “The New Wave of Standup,” where he energized and entertained the crowd.
You can see him perform stand-up comedy across American performing at comedy clubs, special events, and festivals. He’s picking up pace and gathering followers and fans—check him out!
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9. Janelle Niles
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On social media, Janelle Niles describes herself as First Nation Mi'kmaq and a Black woman from Sipekne'katik Nova Scotia, comedian, security guard, student, actor, producer, and entertainer.
She does it all!
As a child, Niles never missed an episode of “Laughs on TV” and decided that she wanted to be the one to bring laughter and joy to others.
Niles’ most recent accomplishment is her all-indigenous comedy show in Ottowa called Got Land? It is “a nod to the Land Back movement, which is, in turn, part of a complex conversation around what it would mean to return colonized territory to Indigenous peoples,” (ReadersDigest).
Since then, she has been spreading her quick-witted stand-up comedy around at clubs and festivals, and hopefully will be traveling more now that things are opening back up.
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10. Tim Fontaine
Image Credit / Alex Tétreault via Muskrat Magazine
Tim Fontaine, Anishinaabe, is the founder, editor-in-chief, and head writer for the online, satirical Indigenous website, “Walking Eagle News.” Go to the site; you will not regret it!
This comedian loves all things satire and parody.
According to his site: “Tim Fontaine was a real journalist for almost two decades before becoming a pretend journalist and worked for APTN National News, iChannel, CPAC, and CBC Indigenous.”
See—there is humor to be had everywhere!
While his Instagram account is private, you can surely try to follow him; otherwise, seek him out on Twitter and browse his satire site and have some fun.
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While some of these writers and comedians are fairly new to the game, they all have some sort of experience and background that are now bringing them forward in their comedy careers. A few others are more seasoned and have been making laughs for decades. Each one of these Native individuals has a lot to offer, and it is exciting to see them making waves in and outside of Native communities.
Follow your favorites and see what they have in store for you in the near future!
Last Updated on October 15, 2021 by Paul G
