It all started with a small stage in front of 85 people at a local venue in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) for Keith Nahanee. “It was 2014. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation has a population of around 4,000 to 4,500 people, and between January and September of that year, we had 41 deaths in our Nation,” Nahanee said.
His friend had been pushing him for years to try stand-up comedy, but he was not ready. “I was too scared,” he said. That year, he and his wife decided to produce a show called Dirty Work.
Nahanee did not perform at that first show. But when his friend was not to MC the next one, Nahanee’s wife told him, “You’re going to MC this time.”
That moment marked the beginning of his comedy career.
From that moment, Nahanee’s career quickly picked up speed.
“After that, it just took off. I started getting a lot of gigs and eventually began running my own shows,” he said.
Now, with his upcoming performance at the Gag at the BAG comedy show set for Friday, Sept. 13, at the Brackendale Art Gallery in Squamish, Nahanee is ready to bring his Indigenous comedy to the stage. The event will feature comedians Robert Peng, Uncle Deadly, Evan Horley, and Evan George, followed by a DJ EZ dance party.
For readers of The Squamish Chief, Nahanee also left them with a joke: “Squamish is considered the capital of outdoor adventures, and seeing how many dispensaries are out there now, I know why!”
Nahanee's take on edgy humour
Today, Nahanee runs Bowers Comedy and Granny’s Corner and co-owns Rez Comedy with Quinton Lee and Cindy Auyeung. “When I start talking about the church, the RCMP, or racism, things can get a bit edgy,” Nahanee said. “I always do it through humour, but I have to be careful with my words.”
Nahanee draws inspiration from legendary comedians like George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Robin Williams. “None of them had boundaries,” he said. “That is what I am doing—telling the truth so people can say, ‘Oh, wow.’”
However, Nahanee is clear about one thing: his comedy is not for the easily offended. “Most of the time, when I end my set, I say, ‘If you are offended by any of this, you should not be here. This is a comedy show. You do not come to a comedy show if you are easily offended,’” he said.
Walking a fine line: Humour and sensitivity
Despite his boldness, Nahanee is careful about some subjects, knowing the weight they carry. “I try to stay away from certain words, like ‘residential schools,’” he said.
“People will not hear the joke—they will just hear that word.”
His humour around racism and other sensitive topics reflects his lived experiences. “Racism is nothing new for me. I grew up with it,” Nahanee said.
He also challenges misconceptions about life on reserves, using comedy to bridge cultural gaps. “Some of the audience, especially those who’ve never been to the reserve, have misconceptions—they think it’s going to be rough, and they get nervous,” he said. “I joke about that too.”
Healing through humour
For Nahanee, comedy is not just about laughs—it is about healing. “A lot of people don’t know what we go through,” he said. “It is not just Native people, it is everyone—Chinese, Hindu, anyone who is treated unfairly. Comedy helps highlight those experiences in a way people can understand.”
Growing up in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Nahanee’s humour was shaped by the people around him. “My dad’s generation, especially his friends, were all goofy and funny,” he said. “In our culture, when things are not serious, we are always joking around. That is where my sense of humour comes from.”
This connection between humour and healing is central to Nahanee’s work, especially in dealing with grief. “My grand-uncle Lawrence Baker was a big influence,” Nahanee said. “He trained me in energy reading and always said I had a goofy side that could make people laugh.”
Now, as an outreach worker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and grief support leader, Nahanee continues to blend humour with emotional healing. “Even during those sessions, after we work through the hard parts, I’ll throw in some humour to lighten the mood.”
Nahanee believes Indigenous comedy has a vital role to play in reconciliation efforts. Through his company Rez Comedy, he is working to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices together. “Indigenous comedy, especially with Rez Comedy, can open up dialogue,” he said. “We have a monthly show starting this month at the Underground Comedy Club. It is mainly Indigenous comedians, but I bring non-Indigenous comedians on stage too, for reconciliation.”
When asked about his upcoming performance, Nahanee kept it simple: “Come in with an open heart and an open mind—and buckle up, because it's going to be funny!”
Tickets are on Eventbrite, at Gag at the BAG - A Comedy Show.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
