We meet two Indigenous artists bringing the legacy of tragedy and the gift of comedy to the stage.

The Quebec Bridge Disaster is a well-known example of how not to build a bridge. On August 29, 1907 - 33 Mohawk steelworkers died when the structure collapsed. But what’s lesser known is the impact it had on the Mohawk community of Kahnawake. Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo says everyone was touched by “The Disaster.” They either lost a cousin, a son, a father, or a grandfather. Tragedy rippled further when the children of the steelworkers were then taken away to Industrial School. The Mohawk dancer and choreographer, shares this piece of Kahnawake history through dance, in SkyDancers.

When comedian Janelle Niles felt like the only Indigenous comic on the stage, she made her own stage and Got Land! was born. Janelle is a Black, Mi’kmaq comedian and creator of the stand-up comedy variety show featuring First Nation, Inuit and Metis entertainers.