The Hosts

Don Kelly: Host

Don Kelly is a comedian, writer, actor and all-around communications specialist.
As a stand-up comic he has performed across North America and has appeared on numerous television and radio comedy showcases, including his own national television specials on CBC’s Comics!, CTV’s Comedy Now, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, The Debaters and many other national and regional programs. Don has hosted the 2008 and 2009 Aboriginal Day Live national broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and served as host for the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards “First Night Festival”.

Don is currently host and writer of the Gemini-nominated television show Fish Out of Water on APTN. The show explores Don’s adventures as an urban Indian trying to learn the traditional skills and wisdom of Aboriginal peoples… with hilarious results!

Don has a background in media, having worked as a writer-broadcaster for CBC, as well as in strategic communications and media relations. For many years he served as Communications Director for the Assembly of First Nations and continues to perform strategic communications policy and planning work with the AFN and other organizations. Don is a member of the Ojibways of Onigaming, a Treaty #3 First Nation in northwestern Ontario.

Dawn Dumont: Co-Host

Dawn Dumont, a Cree and Metis comedian, was featured at the 2008 Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Calgary’s Funnyfest. A finalist in various contests, CBC Radio selected her as Best Edmonton Comedian in February 2008. Dawn performs at comedy clubs across North America including New York’s Comic Strip and of course, at various Indian casinos.

Dawn is also a comedy writer and has written for the stage, radio, film and television. She was a Writer and Story Editor for By the Rapids, an animated comedy series on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Her comedy writing has also been featured on CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera and Celebrate: The National Aboriginal Day Special.

She began her comedy career in Toronto on stages such as Yuk Yuk’s and the Laugh Resort. In New York, Dawn performed on at the NY Improv, Comic Strip and Laugh Factory; and hosted a weekly comedy show, the Green Mic, in New York City’s East Village. Dawn also had a role on ABC’s One Life to Live. Dawn currently lives in Edmonton, AB, where she’s a regular at Yuk Yuk’s, the Comic Strip and the Comedy Factory.