#followfriday- 4 Indigenous Comedians
These Natives are making us laugh!
These 4 comedy content creators give us the medicine of laughter regularly and we are so grateful. The rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram has amplified new voices in Indigenous comedy, diversifying the ways in which we understand the genre. Whether they’re making light of the everyday challenges of being Indigenous, sharing skits about family dynamics or poking fun at their experiences with non-Indigenous people, each of these creators use comedy as an avenue for building Indigenous community online.
A commonality between all of them is the way in which they share the work of other Indigenous creatives and openly support Indigenous business. A reflection of the community minded nature of Indigenous people, each of them use their platforms to present their audience with more ways to access Indigenous knowledge and experiences.
They exemplify the creativity of Indigenous people in the ways they personify multiple characters, resulting in truly unique content. They’re leaders in Indigenization, building new online spaces for Indigenous connection, healing, and laughter. Their joyous contribution to our lives is a powerful one. I invite you to follow, laugh, and share with a friend.
Sherry McKay
Sherry Mckay is an Anishinaabe content creator out of Winnipeg, Manitobah. As one of the first Native TikTokers to go viral creating both comedic and educational videos, Sherry has led the way for Indigenous creatives on the platform. Her diverse content offers something for everybody. Relatable and warm, Sherry is a joy to watch.
As a mother of 4, Sherry’s comedy reflects her life as an Indigenous woman and parent. Her “Things Native Parents say” series is an audience favorite. Sherry Indigenizes popular TikTok trends, making videos that reference Indigenous experiences and cultural stories. Her skits hit home with Indigenous audiences far and wide, joking about commonalities in Indigenous communities and families, often through the creation of comedic characters.
Driven by the desire to help Indigenous communities, Sherry’s uses her voice to educate folks about Indigenous experiences with systemic racism, cultural appropriation, MMIWG2S and more. Often dueting other creators, and featuring Indigenous businesses, she uses her platform to amplify BIPOC voices.
Sherry’s trailblazing journey in comedy has just begun as she aspires to write and direct her own sitcom.
Follow Sherry on TikTok and Instagram or visit her website.
Kairyn Potts
Kairyn Potts is a Nakota Sioux, two-spirit educator and comedic content creator. Our favourite “Aunty,” Kairyn hits the mark every time, making us laugh with his creative and hilarious skits. Kairyn’s Aunty skits honour intergenerational relationships using humour and relatability, mirroring beloved family members in Indian country. Indigenizing through parodies like Bepsi’s Drag Race Challenge, Kairyn is a must follow on Native TikTok.
Kairyn’s notable creativity and commitment to the craft can be admired in his fully fledged costumes and make-up.
When he’s not making us laugh, Kairyn is uplifting Indigenous youth and two-spirit community members. Kairyn’s sincerity is felt as he openly shares his very personal experiences and even guides other Indigenous people through accessing resources. He notes that comedy is a vehicle for accessing audiences and opening important conversations that support Indigenous people in achieving health and safety.
Having modelled for celebrated Indigenous designers such as Lesley Hampton and Scot Wabano, Kairyn’s colourful and fashion-forward style is the icing on the cake. His voice and presence is inspiring in many ways, leading us by example in being authentic and loving ourselves.
Follow Kairyn on Instagram and TikTok
WitchyTwitchy
Diné//Navajo TikToker and Twitch Streamer, WitchyTwitchy creates hilarious videos about her journey as an Indigenous woman in the digital space. Her videos are a fresh and inventive addition to Indigenous TikTok. She jokes about experiences as a mixed heritage Indigenous person and navigating relationships with her non-Indigenous family members. WitchyTwitchy’s videos about reconnecting with her culture are heartfelt, moving, and for many Indigenous people very relatable.
With her humous videos, she reminds us to be proud of the ways we’re reclaiming as Indigenous people whether it be in language, spiritual practices or pow wow dance.
WitchyTwitchy uses comedy to talk mental health and experiences with ADHD, using her platform to create a safe space to educate others. Not limited to one box, she shares gaming content on Twitch, and vlogs on Youtube. Her colourful home filled with Indigenous art and impressive collection of beaded earrings make for visually stimulating videos. Her quirky energy is magnetic, making it easy it fall into a wormhole of her content, laughing the whole way down her feed.
Follow Witchy Twitchy on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitch.
Nimiyikowin Lennox Lewis
Nimiyikowin, or Nim, is a Nêhiyāw, two-spirit video creator, whose bingeable comedic content is sure to have you pressing “Share.” Often joking about family members, most often cousins, Nim’s comedy speaks to the closeness of Indigenous families, the funny characters we all know and love in our extended family, and laughing through these sometimes rocky relationships.
Their witty videos offer a healthy dose of rez humour, a uniquely Indigenous form of comedy.
Nim’s unapologetic humour has us laughing about silly things we wish we hadn’t done in past relationships and offers funny and hopeful queer dating content. Nim jokes about growing pains, insightfully sharing how we can use humour to evolve out of challenging life experiences. Not shying away from hard topics, Nim’s videos boldly confront racism with a no-nonsense attitude.
Nim’s big heart is seen in the way they make it known that their online space is a safe place for Indigenous youth and that their presence and voices are valued. Powerful and vulnerable, Nim talks breaking intergenerational cycles and the impacts of residential school trauma in their family.
Nim’s content is compelling, authentic, and definitely worth the follow.
Follow Nim on Instagram and TikTok
