Laughter Is Good Medicine

Got Land? Comedy: Raising the Profile of Indigenous Comedy

By Danielle Vienneau

We’ve all heard it, “it takes more effort to frown than it does to smile” and “laughter is the best medicine.” Evidence shows that laughter increases oxygen intake, stimulates vital organs, including the heart and muscles, and increases endorphins released by the brain. The psychological and physiological benefits of laughter are staggering and free, I might add. We know that laughter can’t heal all ailments; there’s a place for traditional and pharmaceutical medicines and other forms of therapy that people need, but that’s not what this article is about. Even Charlie Chaplin said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” 

We could all use a little more joy in our lives, and laughing is something that everyone can do, but it takes a special person to make others laugh. Janelle Niles, creator and producer of the Got Land? Comedy show knows this first-hand. A Two-Spirit Black-Mi’kmaq woman from Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia, she uses comedy not only as entertainment but also as a way to educate and advocate—a doctor of comedy, if you will. 

Got Land? Comedy launched in 2019. It is a stand-up Indigenous comedy show where First Nation, Inuit, and Métis entertainers tell jokes and share individual life stories. The show was created to express solidarity with humour, and with a roster of 35 comedians from every province and territory in Canada, all comedy genres are represented.

SAY Magazine introduced readers to Got Land? two years ago and felt it was time for an update. We recently spoke with Niles and Patrick Cheechoo, one of the comedians on the Got Land? roster since the very beginning. 

From Constance Lake First Nation, Cheechoo is Mushkeego Cree. He’s been performing on stages and perfecting his craft since 2012. He says it all began with a shaky five-minute set. “The paper was just rattling in my hands as I was doing it,” he explains. In 2014, he won Thunder Bay Comic Idol amongst 14 competitors, and that was the confidence boost he needed to continue pursuing comedy. 

“Patrick Cheechoo is a fantastic comedian. He headlines 99 per cent of my shows and brings a lot to the table of Indigenous comedy,” says Niles. “I always say that he is the Salt of the earth NEESH. When you think of an Indigenous comedian, you think of Patrick Cheechoo. He’s amazing.”

Cheechoo has travelled across Canada and the United States, performing in shows with friends and fellow comedians Ron Kanutski, the 2010 Thunder Bay Comic Idol, and Todd Genno, the 2012 Thunder Bay Comic Idol. He appreciates the opportunity to appear in showcases produced by his peers Niles and Kanutski. “I really appreciate all the work they put into promoting First Nations and Indigenous comedy.”

Ever since he was a child, Cheechoo has made people laugh. In his professional life, he has spoken at many conferences as an emcee and found ways to incorporate jokes into his speeches. “People thought I was funny,” he says. “I was part of a volunteer group that did the Aboriginal Day Gala in Thunder Bay, an annual celebration of Indigenous talent in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and that’s where I did my first five minutes of comedy and loved it.” 

Cheechoo was known for telling stories and jokes even before his days as an emcee. “I think First Nations people like to share,” he explains. “Whenever you have three or more together, it’s this laughter all the time, and that’s where I got my start.”  His show elaborates on his life experiences, and as an avid hunter, Cheechoo likes to incorporate jokes from his hunting adventures, including animal calls. 

“One of my most memorable shows was when we did a free show in La Loche, Saskatchewan, as part of their healing after an incident at one of the schools,” he says. “It was a memorable show because we performed at a relatively large elementary school, with about 450 students and faculty in the audience. Until then, I mainly performed in front of an adult audience, explains Cheechoo. “My show involves storytelling and a lot of wildlife/animal calling, bird calling, and stuff like that. It went over really well with the kids. They started calling back to me, especially when I did some geese calls. It was awesome!” 

Eventually, Cheechoo moved southeast to the Ottawa region, where he met Niles and joined the Got Land? team. Five years later, he is still involved and looking forward to continuing his journey as a comedian. 

“Patrick might have only been doing comedy for about 12 years, but it feels like he’s been doing it his whole life. He’s like my comedy elder.  I look to him for guidance. He keeps me humble,” says Niles. “We have meaningful conversations on the road, and we’re always laughing. Patrick is good people, and he’s an amazing comedian. He’s our best closer.” 

Married with five children and three grandchildren, Cheechoo credits much of his success to his wife. “She’s helped to create my best material. I appreciate that she has a wonderful sense of humour and is super intelligent, so it makes for some great jokes when we work together. I credit her during my show because she’s so funny.”  

Comedy is not Cheechoo’s only gig—he is an artist and a photographer and works a full-time job for a tribal council.  

Cheechoo appreciates the opportunities he’s had through Got Land?, including being a part of various festivals and a showcase for Just for Laughs, Yuk Yuks Comedy Club, and, more recently, the Guelph Comedy Festival. Another highlight from his travels thus far was performing in Iqaluit, Nunavut, at the Arctic Comedy Festival—a bucket list item made possible through his involvement in Got Land? Comedy.  “I look forward to being at more comedy festivals, but  I think the most fun I have is when I’m in First Nation communities, so that’s what I’m looking forward to doing more of.”

Got Land? – Vision for the Future

In addition to a circuit that has Got Land? comedians travelling across Canada to cities, rural communities, colleges, universities, and special events, most shows can be seen at Festivals nationwide throughout the year. 

“Our mandate is to express solidarity,” says Niles. “I’m a very political comedian, but Patrick is not. He’s a real jokester—a talent splendour for our show. So you get “hard” at the beginning and then softer afterward. It’s about using humour and laughter as a channel of solidarity,” explains Niles. 

“Before Patrick, it was Don Kelly who would headline in earlier shows. Patrick fills a vital spot in our roster of amazing Indigenous comics because making those Elders laugh is tough. After all, they have a different life experience and relevance,” says Niles. “So we need a mix of relatable people on several fronts.” 

“I have six candidates pending, but the comedy business can be intimidating. Many people are reluctant to put themselves out there and present themselves. But this is how the comedy business works: You have to be yourself”, says Niles.

The Got Land? show can be seen in Ottawa two to three times a year, and for the last two years, they have performed at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario—a highly sought-after event that Niles hopes will become an annual event for Got Land?

With five years under her belt, Niles has some big goals for the next few years. We’ve performed the Got Land? show in the United States, in upper New York State several times, and through a collaboration with a Native American College in Oklahoma. It was fantastic, but we want to bring more of the meat and potatoes to the States,” she says. “It takes a lot of paperwork, but we could visit so many Indigenous communities down south by going on tour and having a showcase. It’s bigger and a little more complicated than here in Canada, but we can do it.” In addition to expanding more into the United States, she hopes to see Got Land? on the big screen one day soon. 

“I believe the comedy scene has neglected Indigenous comedians, and we have something to say,” explains Niles. “Just because we’re Indigenous comedians doesn’t mean we only perform for Indigenous people. We perform globally and nationally. I want to ensure that the rest of the world knows we’re still here. I want to give everybody a chance in the spotlight. I would like a comedy special where we can have as many Indigenous comedians as possible on the big screen.” 

 “I would also like to acknowledge that there are other incredible Indigenous comedy shows in Canada, not just Got Land?” says Niles. “I am very proud that there are more of us, and I would like to see us collaborate and work together. We’ve got to support each other because everyone is doing great work.”

“I don’t want another book written about Indigenous comics like there was with comedian/actor Charlie Hill (Mohawk/Cree),” explains Niles. “There’s a book about how Indigenous comics can’t get along, and I’m thinking, ‘Not on my watch.’” 

Speaking with Niles, her energy is almost palpable—you can’t help but smile. Her belief in others and willingness to support them is unmatched, and Cheechoo can attest to that. Through Got Land? Niles promotes aspiring comedians, novice comedians and professionals. Got Land? is not an agency; therefore, every comedian can be booked independently. “I want people to understand that Got Land? exists because we wanted to promote Indigenous comedians (for free) across Turtle Island, and we needed a hub for people to find us.” 

In addition to her success in comedy, Niles is a role model and advocate for Two-Spirit individuals across Turtle Island, something she takes very seriously. Recently, Niles was crowned Mr.Two-Spirit International 2024 at the 37th Annual International Two-Spirit Gathering in Oklahoma in November. “This recognition reinforces that our existence is acknowledged, protected, and validated,” says Niles. “I will be a voice for others to ensure our culture is kept in our Two-Spirit identity, implemented throughout our journeys as Two-Spirit Ambassadors and for my Two-Spirit kin.” 

Niles’ work as an advocate will no doubt be a part of the legacy she is building. Her craft, her gift, is our medicine. She has worked tirelessly to advance Got Land? and with a stage to speak her mind, her political humour, clever witticism, and jokes will undoubtedly impact this world and improve it with laughter.