Rez Daddy Confronts ‘Pandemic Blues’ at South Okanagan Similkameen Pride – Okanagan

In these times of heaviness and grief, Madeline Terbasket, also known by her drag name, Rez Daddy, plans to bring some good medicine in an upcoming drag and burlesque show.

Organized by the South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society (SOSPS) as part of Pride Month, Swallow Your Pride is a burlesque and drag show for people over 18.

The event is scheduled via Zoom on June 16 at 7 p.m.

“We wanted to do the Swallow Your Pride event because it’s also National Indigenous History Month, so we wanted it to be a two-spirit, indigique event and I’m so excited for the programming,” said Rez Daddy. at IndigiNews. the phone.

“I was not sure to promote it because everyone is in mourning,” they say. “But I think love and laughter really heal people and I still think we should celebrate Pride Month because it’s so important.”

The event lineup includes five Indigenous and Two-Spirit parents: “Lynx Chase, Eddi Licious, Stone E. Rivers, Rosé Parks, Lou Lou the Duchess of Riére and myself,” says Rez Daddy.

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RCMP and Pride Society are working together on the program

After falling in love with art in his youth, Rez Daddy says they first entered burlesque in 2017, through the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society in the unceded territory of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsil̓witulh -Waututh).

They went on tour shortly after completing the program, performing in burlesque shows in many territories. Then, in 2020 just before COVID-19 swept the world, they released their “Rez Daddy” drag identity into the world.

Since they use both drag and burlesque to express themselves.

Madeline Terbasket performs at the Tease Island Burlesque Festival. Photo by MKM Photography, submitted by Madeline Terbasket

“My signature [burlesque] the act is “the retribution of the water spirit” and it is about what water would do to you after taking it for granted for so long, “they say.

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As for their drag performance, they embody their inner Rez Daddy.

“A lot of people still think of me as a woman, so [Rez Daddy] helps me express my masculine side and feel that power and energy, ”says the self-described“ Syilx Nation Feel ”.

Rez Daddy says reclaiming their sexuality through the art of drag and burlesque has been a great way to connect with themselves and increase their confidence, as well as taking back what has been taken.

“I’m so much more in touch with my body and it makes me so much more in touch with the earth because I am a part of the earth and all of creation,” says Rez Daddy, who also calls himself ‘Mother Girth.’

“I think that with residential schools and colonization our sexualities were affected so deeply, so it helped me access my sexuality in a safe, non-overwhelming way.”

As part of South Okanagan Similkameen Pride, their next show will explore “the pandemic blues of Rez Daddy,” they say.

“This is about what goes through Rez Daddy’s head when the pandemic hits and he runs out of lotion and no aunt on his phone text him back, and he’s in the deep end. “, they say with a roaring laugh – like a” skim -freakin-xist “(crazy black bear).

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The “Homopogo” returns to Kelowna Pride

They hope people tune into the free show to see people express their true identities, they say.

“I want us to be seen just for who we are, as badass two-spirited and indigent people, and I hope people have fun.”

“Swallow Your Pride” isn’t the only event planned for South Okanagan Similkameen Pride. On June 28 at 7:00 p.m., people can check out “Two Spirit Stories,” a virtual panel. Registration and ticket information for these events are available on the SOSPS website.

Rez Daddy explains that a big part of their role, according to them, is to help young people adopt and feel more secure in their own identity.

“My hope for the future is that Indigenous peoples and our communities will become less homophobic and that we can accept our queer parents more. What is really important to me is to create a future where indigenous youth can be who they are and be loved unconditionally and truly unconditionally, ”said Rez Daddy.