Comedian Don Burnstick uses humour to talk about hard issues

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 makehim so relatable to an Indigenous audience.

Burnstickperformed 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 itdisappearsfrom the headlines, it's nolonger a concernuntil 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,Burnsticksaid.He prays, and he trusts his process before he goes on stage.

His material includes jokes about Indigenouswomen'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.

Burnsticksaid hebelieves 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.

Jace Martin of Six Nationsruns the Darren Ross Agency representing Indigenous artists like Crystal Shawanda and Juno winnerMurray Porter.He recently signed Burnstickand hopes to advance his career into the larger American market.

"We want to really take that step to expose him to those kinds of audiences because he's a great comedian; he's not just an Indigenous comedian,"said Martin.

'Good medicine'

Artie K. Martin traded his photography skills for a ticket to Burnstick'sshow in Six Nations,the first time he'dseen Burnstickperform live.

"He's one of us. He was up on the stage sharing our perspective and it was funny," he said.

"I was laughing because the audience was laughing."

Burnstick'scomments onmen's wellness resonated with him.

"There's no one talking about how men need help," he said.

"Women have it together. They have a whole support network and workshops and wellness around that kind of stuff. Whereas men have to figure it out as they go it seems."

He said Burnstick's humour is "good medicine."

"He was poking fun at some people in the audience and they were laughing about it," he said.

"Even after his show was over, he stayed, and he wanted to meet everybody who wanted to meet him ... There was a huge line that went down the hall."

Burnsticksaid he was overwhelmed with emotion following his show.

"As I turned to walk off-stage the emotion I could feel the love of the people. I should've turned and just accepted it," he said.

Burnstickhas another show in Six Nations this weekend, with aportion of the proceedsgoing to support the community'slacrosse.