The Deadly Aunties are getting uncles
The Deadly Aunties are a powerhouse of 2 Indigenous Women from the Anishnaabek Nation. Our goal is to decolonize, empower, and reclaim the traditional Auntie Role through Rezzy humor. We are breaking down negative Indigenous stereotypes, protecting our youth and loving every part of ourselves, the emotional, spiritual, physical and sexual. We offer a wide rage of services including comedy shows, workshops, customized community sessions, MCing and events, plus so much more. We are always open to suggestions and making each experience optimal for all who participate. We proudly bring our Rezzy and positive Deadly Auntie vibes to First Nations, Communities, Organizations, Cultural Events, etc. all across Canada and the United States.
Stephanie Pangowish is one of the Deadliest Aunties from Wiikwemkoong and Sagamok. She’s an Anishnaabekwe artist that’s been breaking barriers through her humorous storytelling, workshops and is one of the first Female Pow wow MCs in Ontario. Graduating from Indigenous Studies at Trent University, where she barely passed, she utilized her education and experience to perform stand up comedy, lecture on Indigenous Humor in post secondary institutions and is a TedX Speaker on Indigenous Humor and Resiliency. Stephanie recently wrote for the Indigenous Comedy TV series, Acting Good and Not Even. She founded the Indigenous powerhouse duo The Deadly Aunties who are working towards emphasizing the power of Indigenous humor by sharing their platform across Turtle Island.
Sherry McKay is apart of the Deadly Aunties, Indigenous Powerhouse Duo. She is Anishinaabe from Treaty 1 Territory. She was born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba by her Grandmother, and is a mother of 4. Sherry is an accomplished content creator, comedian, speaker, writer and storyteller. She is known to capture humor from an Indigenous lens and strives to share it with the world. Her visionary perspective has earned her a large following on social media and has had opportunities to participate on prominent campaigns, be a TEDX speaker, perform comedy at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, perform over 20 shows through Canada as a Deadly Auntie and even acted on limited Series, Little Bird. Her passion for decolonizing the digital spaces, through activism, storytelling and humor was a perfect fit for The Accelerator for Indigenous Creators program where Sherry has been a Program Advisor for TikTok Canada and The National /Screen Institute for the last 3 years. Sherry’s goal is to amplify accurate representation of Indigenous peoples today and quiet the narrative that we are people of the past, and focus on Indigenous comedy. Sherry believes in promoting Indigenous Humour and resiliency.
What were you like as a teen?
Stephanie: I was funny with my close friends and with everyone else after a couple of drinks. I wanted to do stand up since I was 8 years old.
Sherry: Yes, I was funny! I didn’t have comedy goals. I was just trying to make it in life.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
Sherry: Starter Job? Yes, I was a foot-hawker. I had a license from the City of Winnipeg to sell things on da street.
Stephanie: My first job was working at my grandpa’s store. Stocked shelves, fridges and stole cigarettes.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Finishing our first tour in 2023 and selling out more than half our shows. That’s pretty good for our first round of touring.
Sherry: I didn’t start your stereotypical stand up comedy journey. One of my first shows was a live performance was in front of 300+ at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
Stephanie: It was definitely when I performed my first time on stage, in front of my friends and peers.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
Stephanie: It was the rush of the laughter from the audience plus identifying where you could bring up difficult subjects to discuss. Sherry: The laughter, the rush.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Sherry: Yes, the most important thing to identify is that their problem is not your problem. Whatever negative thing they are trying to do is a reflection of them and not me. And then figure out a way to move forward in a good way where it doesn’t impact you.
Stephanie: When I first started, I didn’t know how to handle someone who kept interrupting during a show. I eventually just talked louder. Kind of like how I would turn up the radio when my child cried and keep going. Now, I don’t take disrespect, I use my voice to identify the issue, smudge with that good medicine, pray and talk to my Therapist or Sherry.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young (female/non-binary) comedian?
Stephanie: Be you, love yourself and fawk what others think. Surround yourself with people that love and uplift you.
Sherry: Don’t listen to what others have to say, learn from your failures. It’s ok to fail and don’t let your failures be for nothing, do something with it. And fawk everyone else
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Stephanie: Write everyday, keep a notebook handy, and a joke is never over.
Sherry: Jokes are glorified storytelling and we all have funny stories. And don’t perform while someone’s eating.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
Stephanie – here tell this joke onstage and its not a joke i would tell.
Sherry: You can’t trust anyone. Although I believe that you have to be careful who you do trust, that there are some good people that want to see you succeed.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
Stephanie – it helped me from not getting my ass beat. It also helped get out of speeding tickets, getting fired, getting uncles.
Sherry: it’s pretty much saved my life, enh Steph?
Steph: Yeah.
What specific things should a novice comic do to shape their voice?
Watch other comedians from all areas, get to know who you are and speak your truth-ish.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
Stephanie: some guy on CBC
Sherry :I don’t think it was one specific person. I’ve always loved stand up comedy. Don Burnstick was the person that made me believe that there’s space for Natives on the stage.
What is your go-to show when you’ve had a bad day?
Sherry: I’m not a re-watcher, i’ll just go to netflix and watch the newest stand up special.
Stephanie: Golden Girls.
What single word always cracks you up?
Stephanie: Geet
Sherry: Poonch
