Monique Hurteau says she got into comedy because she has always made people laugh. As a Métis comedian, she feels that she has the opportunity to educate people and make a positive change. She refuses to use stereotypes for a cheap laugh: 'I don't want to point at my own people and go, "Here, laugh at this." I want to be able to do stand-up comedy in mainstream comedy clubs and venues, but I'd also like to be able to do it in aboriginal forums.' As she prepared to go on stage at Yuk Yuk's last week, she admitted that when a show goes well, 'there is a part of me feels drunk with power.' She laughs. 'Dance, puppets, dance!'
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"Men can say whatever they want and they'll give each other the high-five, regardless of how disgusting or perverted it is. But a woman says something similar and - oh my God!"
Monique Hurteau, comedian
IN HER OWN WORDS VISIT GLOBEANDMAIL.COM/LIFE TO HEAR AN AUDIO CLIP OF THE INTERVIEW