Using comedy to explore being Indigenous

Some of Chad Anderson’s own story might sound familiar. He grew up disconnected from his heritage and his people.

But for Anderson, the disconnect was a result of circumstance, in many ways: he was adopted and did not identify as Indigenous when he was younger.

Anderson is now a comedian making a name for himself in Winnipeg. But as he grew up, struggles with addiction got him thinking that there was something missing in his life and he began to explore his heritage. In November of 2010, he was homeless for the second time in 2 years and a phone call made him rethink his life.  

“It was something my sister said… you know, ‘You’re just like our dad.’ My real dad, who still lives with addiction, is constantly asking my grandpa for money,” Anderson told New Fire host Lisa Charleyboy.

Anderson got help and has been sober ever since. Comedy has also helped him come of age, giving him a space to explore his struggles and experiences over the past few years: being sober, dealing with racism and stereotypes.

Listen to Anderson and Charleyboy’s full conversation, here.

Have you had opportunities, kind of outside the box like Anderson, to explore your heritage? 

Photo source: @Chadillmatic on Twitter.