Overview
Drew Hayden Taylor, a humorist and storyteller, discusses the importance and role of Indigenous humor in both entertainment and healing, sharing personal experiences and insights into storytelling, ahead of his upcoming performance at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
Drew Hayden Taylor's Background and Approach
- Drew has performed stand-up comedy once at the Kennedy Center, but primarily identifies as a writer and storyteller rather than a performer.
- His humor is deeply rooted in his First Nation upbringing, traditions, and community experiences.
- Drew has written about, explored, and celebrated humor in multiple formats including documentaries, novels, plays, and essays.
- He values storytelling as both an art form and a method for sharing Indigenous culture.
Importance of Indigenous Humor
- Indigenous humor is described as powerful, resilient, and integral to community healing and survival.
- Drew attributes the endurance of Indigenous peoples through colonization partly to their sense of humor.
- An elder once told Drew that "humor is the WD-40 of healing" for Native and all people.
- Humor is seen as a way to cope with adversity and support each other during difficult times.
Storytelling in Indigenous Culture
- Drew has traveled extensively among First Nation communities, collecting and sharing humorous stories.
- He recounts a personal anecdote: while in India for a humor conference, his family celebrated his mother's birthday by going out to dinner and to the dump to watch bears, illustrating unique cultural perspectives on entertainment.
- Drew recognizes that storytelling methods now include not only oral traditions, but also literature, television, games, and live performance.
Growth of Storytelling
- Drew notes a recent resurgence in storytelling and identifies himself as a "contemporary storyteller" who utilizes various modern media.
- He believes compelling stories are crucial regardless of the medium—whether novels, television, video games, or live events.
Event Details
- Drew's performance, "White Water Rafting Down the River of Indigenous Humor," is scheduled for Thursday, February 24th, 7:30 p.m. at the Shenkman Arts Centre.
- The event will be available both in-person and via livestream, with more information at ottawastorytellers.ca.