Denise McLeod (she/her)

Proud Urban IndigiQueer Anishinaabe Kwe D.B. is from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, located on the north shore of Lake Huron. Rooted in her Indigeneity, D.B. is a comedian, performer, and community creator whose work uses humour to challenge colonization, misogyny, and racism — often with just enough bite to make people uncomfortable while creating space for reflection and connection.

In 2017, alongside her comedy sisters, D.B. co-founded Manifest Destiny’s Child Comedy Collective and The NDN Act. She has performed at major events and venues including the Toronto International Film Festival, Royal Ontario Museum Friday Night Live, and the Art Gallery of Ontario First Thursday. She has also curated comedy programming, toured with Got Land Comedy, and expanded into sketch comedy through NDN ACT.

D.B. is also the creator behind Madame Ode’Miin Surprise, her burlesque alter ego, and co-founder of the IndigiBabes Burlesque Collective. IndigiBabes celebrates Indigenous bodies, joy, sexuality, and brilliance while reclaiming narratives surrounding Indigenous women and 2-Spirit people. Through comedy, performance, and community-building, D.B.’s work centers Indigenous joy, representation, and storytelling while creating spaces rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and Indigenous ways of knowing and being.