How Do Indigenous People Use Laughter as Medicine

In this episode of Sovereign Innovations, host Cheyenne Bearfoot delves into the healing power of laughter within Native cultures. Join Cheyenne as she navigates through the rich history of comedic storytelling in Indigenous communities. From ancient times to the present day, humor has been a vital tool for coping with adversity and fostering community resilience.
Discover how Native people have mastered the art of turning pain and grief into satire and dark comedy gold. Through interviews and personal insights, learn about the role of laughter in addressing trauma and promoting healing. Explore the accessibility of Native humor on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Meet Auntie Mayazhi, a Navajo comedian and social media personality, who uses her platform to advocate for Indigenous storytelling and practices.
Gain insight into what sets Native comedians apart from their non-Native counterparts and how the rise of Indigenous influencers is shaping the landscape of Native American comedy.
So grab a seat and prepare to laugh, learn, and celebrate the power of Indigenous humor in healing our communities. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of Sovereign Innovations!
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[@bogwitchburke]

Beautiful and nuanced piece of journalism! Bravo

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Humour is ironic because it’s a weapon but it’s also disarming.

[@franzsanders9573]

_Ayyyyy!_

[@annelisewunderlich4528]

I love this episode! Learning so much from this whole series. And the host, Cheyenne, is so relatable.

[@tecpaocelotl]

Glad you uploaded a video. Interesting topic. I always hear Navajos have the best jokes, but no one ever translates them when they do a joke in Navajo.

[@pbsvoices]

My grandparents had the best jokes, but most of them would be lost in translation though. - Series Director (Diné)

[@1gopifatimah]

👏👏👏Thank you for making this. It’s really special that you shared this. Thank you.

[@pbsvoices]

Laughter and making others laugh is something that's always been important to me, so I'm happy you can feel how special this episode was for me too! -Chey

[@mwangangimaina1445]

Great episode

[@summer37x]

"They only tease you if they like you or love you" yup if we're not laughing at/with you we don't like you.

[@merlapittman5034]

Great episode! It really speaks to me because I also use laughter to help cope with trauma. Also, I gotta admit that I laughed way too hard at the chicken "(rap)" joke! 😂

[@pbsvoices]

I'm glad you enjoyed the episode and we all laughed a bit too hard when we we're recording.

[@carsonwieker]

Great topic and perspective, thanks for sharing, cheers!

[@pbsvoices]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@airbendingseneca]

you're so cool cheyenne!

[@pbsvoices]

This feeds my ego in the best way, lol! -Chey

[@PokhrajRoy.]

4:38 Love that for them!

[@b.kenealy]

❤

[@meander112]

Engagement for the engagement god!

[@kenster8270]

3:09 Ohhh, I was just getting ready for a dose of Auntie Beachress (aka Tonia Jo Hall)!

[@pbsvoices]

Sorry about that. We'd love to chat with Auntie Beachress if we ever got the chance.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

2:46 Enjoying humour and food? It’s the perfect life.

[@SpinfoilHat]

especially frybread! 😋

[@pbsvoices]

definitely. the food was incredible and sharing in the joy of everyone was in better.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

0:36 Haha brilliant

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

I always knew Patch Adams had the spirit of the indigenous people

[@Andre-qo5ek]

can we get a breakdown of that bingo card? how those issues should be addressed and reported on instead? what are more important issues to report on? and, what cultural highlights need to be brought to mainstream media instead. what education is needed. and how we can solve the issues while promoting culture in a way that is not trying to distract from the action needed. lets imagine a situation where NONE of the bingo topics are talked about.... that's erasure of A LOT of the consequences of colonialism. we where is the proper balance of reporting?

[@pbsvoices]

Feel free to cover and address the issues from the result for colonization but also throw in coverage that curves the stereotype. This whole series came from a place of wanting to represent Indigenous communities from a modern perspective. We all have histories and understand the consequences of colonialism, but we're tired of having every story of our people come from a place of trauma. Why can't we have a story of thriving communities without being considered an 'other'? - series director

[@nichoudha]

Great message at the end, but those jokes sounded like lame dad jokes Lol

[@musstakrakish]

When you laugh at something, it loses all power.

[@Praisethesunson]

They are laughing because they can't get any madder.

[@SamAsm367]

I didn't laugh once. There was plenty of stoicism on display. I watch black comedians and I laugh hard. None of the humour is tasteful and it 100% effective. Jews have a monopoly on dark humor. I don't dark humour is tasteful either. I think comedy has to be as obscene as the conditions that inspire it. Comedy is not about tasteful good manners. I hope Native Americans have their own Richard Pryor.