I watched a video recently on the sense of humour, as told through the eyes of First Nations peoples in Canada. https://www.nfb.ca/film/redskins_tricksters_puppy_stew I found that very interesting as I noticed a different, more encompassing sense of humour in all the First peoples I have met in my life. One Inuit man told me I had to feed mosquitoes if I didn't have a permit to kill them (as we were being swarmed in their tent on the tundra). He said it so deadpan that for a split second I wondered if he were serious. I have also seen sharing circle leaders use humour to diffuse intense emotions while talking to a group of young people about serious and difficult subjects. I suppose all people love to laugh but I wonder if the place it comes from for the people who have been collectively and thoroughly hurt need it a little more. The film explores different comedians and shows. I knew about the Dead Dog Cafe because I've read a few books from Thomas King and he mentions it quite a bit. I had never heard it before though, it was very interesting to hear about how people took him seriously when they did a bit on eating dogs. I can well imagine the reaction in southern BC about a subject like that! Another comedy skit is done by two women who are passionate about elders and they do a very funny impersonation of elderly women and their concerns and their everyday conversations. They had the people in gathered in tears from laughing. Talking about real issues in a funny way, bringing issues to light in a light-hearted manner, these things seemed important as I watched the film. I was impressed that a well known comedian (well I knew him...I assume everyone has seen him) would go out of his way to come to Toronto to do a comedy show at his own expense. It sounded like he didn't have any monetary reasons for doing it (after expenses he didn't make any money, he told us). He must be awfully passionate about his craft to do that!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMasters in Education student at the University of New Brunswick, I am avidly interested in the future of education, especially for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students in Canada. I believe change is going to come from these sectors who have the most room for growth and the most interest in seeing the status quo changed. Archives
March 2016
Categories |