Laughing, Crying, and Healing Together: Indigenous Humour and Reconciliation with Rissa Reist

Augustana Lunch & Learn and Indigenous Speaker Series special joint presentation

Some argue that nations use humour to frame events in ways that advance their interests and deflect criticism. However, this talk will instead demonstrate the powerful role Indigenous humour plays in fostering dialogue about Canada’s relationship to its violent past. Ultimately, Dr. Rissa Reist will examine how humour can build relationships between settlers and Indigenous people, encourage a culture of critique and accountability, and celebrate Indigenous survival. This is a free in person and online event. A light lunch will be provided for those attending in person.

Rissa Reist is a member of Sweetgrass First Nation and an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. Rissa received her Bachelor of Arts in political studies from Augustana in 2016, then completed master's degrees in political science at the University of Alberta and in political communication at the University of Leeds. She recently completed her Ph.D. in political science at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on the politics of settler-colonial violence in Canada. It examines how different political systems reinforce the normalcy of settler-colonial violence and how Indigenous communities are challenging Canada’s culture of violence through interventions that reinforce the humanity of the Indigenous lived experience. Her work has been featured in several outlets, including the Journal of Political Science Education, the journal Politics, Groups, and Identities, and Policy Options.