Arts·Q with Tom Power

Comedian Janelle Niles brings her pointed political observations to Rez Comedy

In an interview with Q's Tom Power, Niles discusses her latest project, Rez Comedy, which is the first all Indigenous and all Canadian stand-up comedy documentary feature.

Rez Comedy is the first all Indigenous and all Canadian stand-up comedy documentary feature

Headshot of Janelle Niles wearing over-ear headphones and sitting in front of a studio microphone.
Janelle Niles in the Q studio in Toronto. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Janelle Niles is a Black, Mi'kmaw, two-spirited comedian who's been bringing her sharp humour to stages around Canada for the past few years. Now, she's one of eight comedians featured in Rez Comedy, the first stand-up comedy film featuring all Indigenous Canadian comics. Niles sits down with Q's Tom Power to talk about the film and her life in comedy, from being the class clown in school to becoming a "progressive edgelord" on stage.

WATCH | Official trailer for Rez Comedy:

The full interview with Janelle Niles is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Janelle Niles produced by Lise Hosein.