Debbie Courchene is a bold and unapologetic voice in the comedy scene, blending sharp wit, playful bite, and a touch of raunchiness to tackle Indigenous issues with a keen sense of irony. A proud member of the IndigE-girl Comedy collective, she draws from personal experiences, cultural roots, and pure absurdity to craft jokes that resonate.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I’m pretty cheeky. Playful but biting. A little raunchy. It can be challenging to make fun of Indigenous issues because the reality of being Indigenous is so full of irony, you really have to be able to turn things on their head.
Who are some of your influences?
My Dad. My Dad was always the one to tell me I needed to practice my jokes. He would call me up and ask if you got any new jokes today? We would share our dumb little jokes, and laugh on the phone together.
Issa Kixen is definitely one of my greatest influences in my comedy, they are a non-binary Anishinaabe Comedian and my comedy mother. Taught me a lot, and is always there when I have to stand up for myself or others. They give me a lot of strength to believe that what I have to say is worthwhile.
Of course, Dakota Ray Hebert. Back when we were little theatre nerds, she would share all her hilarious jokes. She’s just a natural goofball. I love spending time with her any chance I have. Even back when we were younger, she would always encourage me to get out there and try stand-up. She would share her story on how she just took over a poetry slam night to do comedy. The day I decided I was finally going to give stand-up a try, and she was there cheering me on the whole way. I am so grateful to her for that.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Leslie Nielsen, George Carlin, and Mitch Hedberg are the ones who always stand out in my mind. I always really enjoyed satirical news, Jon Stewart, Jon Oliver, Rick Mercer. Didn’t see a Canadian coming, did ya?
Canadian women that I loved watching as a kid were Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones. One day, I would like to be able to embody the energy they have when they perform. You can tell they’re just there to have fun.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Bassem Youssef had me going for the past year. Josh Johnson from the Daily Show, I watch his YouTube videos a lot. I really enjoy watching Jeff Arcuri’s crowd work on TikTok.
I really dig nice guy personas like Atsuko Okatsuka and Pete Holmes. I really enjoy when people can turn sweet little things into funny jokes. It really gets the butterflies in my stomach going. Their styles really break down my walls. It would be cool to get to that point, but I am so full of rage and sass.
What is your pre-show ritual?
Usually panic. No, it’s a lot of writing, practising it over and over in my head and out loud. Bothering my partner, asking them “What do you think…is this funny?”. I have a skipping rope I like to practice with. It helps me understand how to untangle myself from the mic cable if I get too wild. Listening to music to get my energy up, drinking chai tea. Pretending to high-five my haters.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I really enjoyed performing in Amy Walsh’s Big Dog Energy Show. They have real dogs there. The audience brings their dogs and the dogs actually listen to you, and react to your stories. It’s a lot of fun. I even heard a dog barking along to one of the intro songs. On beat! Vancouver audiences can get a little shy, but their dogs go hard. Top-notch show!
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
Short Kings. It’s a joke about my dating experience in Vancouver. I’m happily shacked up now, but it was an amalgamation of my dating experience. From being so lonely, touch starved, to questionable dating decisions, to finding safety in the arms of Vancouver’s short kings.
It’s really funny to perform this in a room full in Vancouver, because the men here are short. They love it.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
TikTok is good, but I find comedians can then hide behind crowd work, and their jokes and performances are mid. Long-form Youtube videos are great and enjoyable. Unfortunately, when I see or hear comedians on Instagram Reels, I just skip over them. That platform really makes it feel like work.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Come to my show and I will tell you “Short Kings”.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Check my socials! I also have a call out for Indigenous women living in Alberta who are interested in taking one of our workshops. We like to showcase a mix of established comedians and women who just want to try it for the first time. They can apply through the website.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Amy Walsh always blows me away. She gets away with all the things I want to say to the non-indigenous audiences but can’t get away with, because you know… I just love watching her go off.
