Bios
Host
Savannah Erasmus
Savannah Erasmus is a “Fashion” comedian, co-host of Millennial Line and Camp! Comedy! In so-called Vancouver.
She was raised in Kikino Metis Settlement and Cold Lake First Nation, in Treaty 6 Territory. Her Indigenous perspective and “fashion focused” lens creates a fresh and unique stand up persona that audiences adore
Comedians
Brenda Prince
Brenda Prince was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She now makes her home on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is an Anishinabe and Bear Clan. Brenda is a graduate of the Stand Up for Mental Health Program and Laughterzone 101. She was a finalist in BC’s Funniest New Female Comic 2021 and 2022 and she appeared at the Arctic Comedy Festival.
Laura Lewis
My name is Laura Lewis, I come from the Nisga’a, Tsimshian, Tahltan and Tlingit Nations. Although raised in the urban setting of Vancouver BC, I have always stayed connected to my roots within my indigenous community of the Nisga’a Nation. As most indigenous people, I find that laughter is the best medicine and indigenous humour has always been apart of my everyday life; whether it was rowdy, rezzy or deadly humour – jokes and stories were always being shared. I love to entertain and I enjoy making people laugh – it is a gift – that I was always taught to share. I have created a social media account via TikTok under “Auntie Lah” creating an indigenous spin on regular songs (Rez-mix) and by bringing my perspective of indigenous humour onto my social media platform to share online with others. I honestly can’t wait to be a part of IndigE-Girl and be able to learn and surround myself with other Deadly Aunties.
Raven John
Raven John, artist, involuntary comedian and two-spirit activist, is of Coast Salish and Stolo Nation decent. This Two-spirit Trickster is a BFA graduate from Emily Carr
University of Art and Design, with a major in visual art and minor in social practice and community engagement, as well as a graduate of the North West Coast Jewelry Arts program at the Native Education College. Raven is a visual artist, cultural consultant, mediator, storyteller, photographer and sculptor. A jack-of-all-trades (and master of a few), their practice covers a wide array of mediums from provocation and humor, puppet making, ceramics, dressmaking, interactive electronics and indigenous technologies.
Mentors
Issa Kixen
Workshop Facilitator
Issa Kixen is an Anishinaabe Two Spirit comedian/journalist/Producer who is a band member of Couchiching First Nation, Ontario. They have traveled across Canada and the USA as a Comedian and improviser. They use comedy as a tool in dealing with racism, transphobia and ableism. They are the Co-founder/producer of WOKE Comedy Hour, Associate producer at CBC Manitoba, was featured on APTN’s The Laughing Drum, a member of the Bannock Babes drag collective and they are the executive producer for Minogondaagan: the good voice podcast.
Meg Mackay
Mentor
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Meg MacKay is a comedian and comedy writer trying her best. As a TV writer she’s written for the Baroness von Sketch show and This Hour has 22 Minutes. A storyteller and wanderer, she’s appeared on stages everywhere from Moncton, New Brunswick to Muscat, Oman.
Dakota Ray Hebert
Mentor
Dakota Ray Hebert is an entertainer and workshop facilitator who was born and raised in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Dakota has performed as an actor and comedian across Canada, the United States, La Penita Mexico, and even Shenzhen China! When she’s not writing, telling funny stories, or acting her heart out, she’s cuddling up to her loving partner Dylan Jay, their baby Frankie, and their two sweetie pooches Mr Bean and Lieutenant Dan.
Some career highlights include co-hosting CRAZY LIKE A LYNX alongside Don Kelly on APTN. A feature-length movie she lead, RUN WOMAN RUN, made its world premiere this year; from it, she won Best Actress at the American Indian Film Festival. You’ll also be able to view her on CTV’s new television show SHELVED, in which she plays one of the four leads.
Dakota will be seen on CBC’s COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER this fall. Her debut comedy album I’LL GIVE YOU AN INDIAN ACT will be available for purchase November 2022, and she is currently working on her second, of which she’ll deliver a sneak peek for her appearance at JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO this September.
Be sure to follow this Dene busybody on Facebook and Instagram; she’s up to her beaded earrings in work, and is always excited to share her projects!