FCINY and FINNO (Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute) are supporting the production of Indigenous Drag Excellence XXL commissioned for Riddu Riđđu Festival in Sápmi. The project brings together artists from Australia, Canada, and the Finnish side of Sápmi. 

For the first time in history, the world will have the chance to experience a drag show at a Sami festival. For the commissioned project Indigenous Drag Excellence XXL, international Indigenous festival Riddu Riđđu has assembled four Indigenous drag artists from different parts of the world to create a collaborative drag show for their main stage.

Drag queen Feather Talia and drag king Randy River from Winnipeg, Canada, Sami drag king Ritni Tears from the Finnish side of Sápmi, and Māori drag queen Aunty Tamara from Australia will showcase on the main stage on Saturday July 13th what they have been working on for the past six months.

Drag is an art form that plays with gender expression, where artists dress up in extravagant costumes and wear makeup either as drag kings or drag queens. Now, Riddu Riđđu's audiences will experience different Indigenous cultures interpreted through the art of drag.

Festival director Sajje Solbakk is proud of this year's commissioned work:

“One of my biggest dreams is about to come true! A unique drag show with Indigenous drag artists on the main stage at Riddu Riđđu. In little Olmmáivággi. We have gathered a real star team to give our audience an experience they will not forget. What a dream, and what an experience this will be.”

At this year’s festival, Riddu Riđđu has chosen to honor queer Indigenous people as this year’s Northern People of the Year. The commissioned work Indigenous Drag Excellence XXL is one of several elements under the Northern People of the Year program.

About the performers: 

Ritni Tears is a Deanu river Sámi drag artist, storyteller and all-around gay™ superstar. He started his career as Ánde Borga in the Berlin-based fuckboizband Hot Compost in 2022. He is extremely happy to finally máhccat, come back home and do his debut drag show in Sápmi with this amazing team! Ritni Tears is an alter ego for Máret Ásllat Ivvár Ovllá Nilla Ritni Ráste, Ritni Ráste Pieski – who appears mostly as a drag king, even more gay, exxxtra & brave superstar.

Aunty Tamara is fierce, ferocious and fabulous all in one. A true power house performer, bringing the classics of soul and RnB like a true diva! Aunty pulls performance inspiration from her ancestral roots of Aotearoa, New Zealand – bringing that cultural flame to drag, unapologetically! She stands proud in her culture as a Māori, whilst standing tall in her 8″ heels. Get ready to feel all the emotions as you witness the power and combination of DRAG x CULTURE!

Randy River is a drag king from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is a registered member of Couchiching First Nation in Treaty 3 territory. Randy satirically shines a light on toxic masculinity of the late 90s and early 2000s, and his favourite pastimes include (but are not limited to) wheeling around town on his Heely’s, listening to nü metal, and drinking Monster energy drinks for breakfast. He’s the uncle we all love to hate! 

Feather Talia is the pride of Muskowekwan First Nation and a well-known drag artist and advocate for her kin. Feather, being Two-Spirit, shares her storytelling and fun humour on and off the mic. She has a fire that no one can tarnish and dance moves that are… ok. When you come to a Feather Talia Show, you will get beauty, grace, stupidity and most of all… a fun auntie who thrives and does her own thing!

Project coordinator is Sage Broomfield.

📍 Indigenous Drag Excellence XXL can be experIenced at Riddu-sletta in Manndalen, Kåfjord Saturday 13 July at 6:30pm.

More information about the performance and the festival can be found on Riddu Riđđu’s website.

Indigenous Drag Excellence XXL is a collaboration with the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York and the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute as part of the pARTir initiative funded by the EU – NextGenerationEU.