Native Comedian Joey Clift Releases New Book, 'We've Been Here The Whole Time!', Blending Humor with Indigenous History
Award-winning comedy writer Joey Clift (Cowlitz) has released his literary debut, 'We've Been Here The Whole Time! A Not-So-Sacred Guide to All Things Native America.' The book, which hit shelves last month, aims to provide an accessible and humorous exploration of Indigenous history and contemporary Native culture for non-Native readers, while also offering an entertaining perspective for Native audiences. Clift, who grew up on the Tulalip Reservation, incorporates his experiences and Native sense of humor into the narrative, covering topics from misunderstood historical figures like Pocahontas to the Land Back movement and Native American sports mascots. He emphasizes the importance of making Native history accessible, especially as narratives challenging American exceptionalism are being removed from educational institutions. The book has seen early success, selling out its first two printings on release day and becoming a bestseller in Oklahoma and Southern California.
