Many native tribes have a history of clowning, such as the Pueblo clown of the Kachina culture. A Heyoka is an individual in Lakota and Dakota cultures who lives outside the constraints of normal cultural roles, playing the role of a backwards clown by doing everything in reverse. The Heyoka role is sometimes best filled by a Winkte. Canadian First Nations also feature jester-like ritual performers, translated by one Anishinaabe activist as "Harlequins", though the exact nature of their role is kept secret from non-members of the tribe into the present day.Kinew, Wab. The Reason You Walk: A Memoir, Penguin Random House, 2017.
mANY naTive TribES havE a histoRy Of CLowniNg, such As the puEblO Clown of the kAchinA cultuRE. a hEyokA iS An indiVidual iN lAKota aNd DAkOtA cuLtUreS Who liVEs oUtside the ConsTRAiNts of normal cultUral rOles, plaYing ThE rOLe of a bAckwArds CLown By doING EVERyThIng IN revErsE. thE HeYOka ROle iS SoMetimes BEst fIlLed bY A wiNkTe. CaNaDian First natIons Also FeatURE JESTer-Like Ritual perFormers, tranSlAteD by one aNiShinaABE ACtiVIst As "HarLeQuiNs", THough tHE exacT naTure of Their RoLe is kEpT seCret frOM noN-mEmBErs of tHe tribE Into the prEsenT dAY.KINEw, wab. The ReaSon YoU wAlk: A meMoir, Penguin RAndoM HoUse, 2017.