Comedian Don Burnstick uses humour to talk about hard issues
CBC
Thirty-eight years ago, Don Burnstick was sitting in rehab trying to figure out his life. He had to process the trauma and hurt he'd endured as a child. It was uncomfortable.
It's these experiences he draws from that make him so relatable to an Indigenous audience.
Burnstick performed a one-hour set in Six Nations, Ont., before a sold-out crowd last week. He uses humour to talk about the hard issues.
"Women are so far ahead of us in healing," said Burnstick.
"They'll talk about what happened to them and very openly. They'll pick up a microphone and tell their story. Men are not even close to that. I'm taking it upon myself to help men, this next go around.
"Indigenous men don't do wellness. The only time men show up for a community workshop is for lunch and then they leave."
According to Burnstick, the only time men's wellness is prioritized is when there's a crisis and once it disappears from the headlines, it's no longer a concern until another crisis happens.
Burnstick, 59, is Cree from Alexander First Nation in Alberta. He's been travelling, bringing comedy to Indigenous communities for over 30 years.
"This elder came to me and she said 'Don, this is my daughter, this is my granddaughter and here's my great granddaughter. I watched your VHS and now my granddaughter watches your TikToks,'" he said.
His shows aren't scripted, Burnstick said. He prays, and he trusts his process before he goes on stage.
His material includes jokes about Indigenous women's laughter, the Auntie bun, dysfunctional relationships, and any Indigenous nation is fair game. He does this without being derogatory.
He has eschewed the mainstream comedy scene and doesn't perform in bars or clubs. He also doesn't swear on stage based on advice he received from his Elder.
Burnstick said he believes Indigenous people are still scrutinized today.
"It's 2023 and there's a lot of people who still think we're drunken Indians," he said.