Joey Clift Highlights 25 Native American Comedians for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Joey Clift has not only dedicated his life to doing some of the most insane, imaginative bits and concepts on stage (ranging from an entire talk show about cats to finishing Sufjan Stevens’ States project to taking a bamboo stick to the back), but as a proud member of the Cowlitz tribe, Clift has pushed for visibility and representation for native and indigenous talent in comedy and elsewhere. Over the last several months, the importance of BIPOC representation has finally come to the forefront and it’s crucial to keep that going.
For years, he has put up a big showcase highlighting native and indigenous talent at UCB as well as upping their visibility and representation through his own lovely comedy career (see this short film).
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Clift got to handpick a list of 25 Native American and indigenous performers for Illuminative that gives a bigger, deserved spotlight to the likes of Brian Bahe (Tohono O’odham Nation/Hopi/Navajo), Kaitlyn Jeffers (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota)), Monique Moreau (Cree/Saulteaux), Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux Tribe), Lucas Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota), and many more.
So, please go check the full list here and check out all of their work.