Actors and Ancestors

The legendary Wes Studi joins Joel for an exchange about his sweeping career from "The Last of the Mohicans" to "Reservation Dogs" and everything in between. Wes is a Tsalagi (Cherokee) screen veteran and the first Indigenous actor to receive an Academy Award for his lifetime achievements. Wes tells Joel about a chance error that led to choosing his showbiz name, his first time wearing tights, his experience as a young soldier in Viet Nam before he got involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM), and his recollection of a mountaintop fight scene with his late friend and fellow trailblazing Indigenous actor, Russell Means.

Wes lets you in on his thoughts about acting as a business as well as an art and shares his advice for aspiring actors: looks will only get you so far – acting is hard work and you still have to deliver! Wes and Joel discuss National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the meaning of apologies, and what has happened with the phrase "telling our own stories" over the last 15 years. 

Transcript available [here]

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Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Thank you to our fellow podcasters at Reel Indigenous for helping us make this episode happen, Stephanie Joyce for her tape sync work in Santa Fe, and to the Indigenous Screen Office for sponsoring this show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Actors and Ancestors is sharing this episode in partnership with CBC Unreserved.] The "Sixties Scoop" was a time when Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to live with white families in 1960's Canada. It’s estimated that over 20,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were removed during the Scoop. It was a traumatic assimilation policy resulting in broken community connections and lasting pain through many generations. The award-winning, Indigenous-produced and -directed TV series, Little Bird, chronicles this period in time that many still don't know about.

"Four of the Indigenous women behind the series take us behind the scenes. Producer/Creator Jennifer Podemski is Saulteaux/Ojibway and Jewish and says it is not “any one person's story” but is reflective of many Sixties Scoop stories. Directors/Writers, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot and Sámi) and Zoe Leigh Hopkins (Heiltsuk and Mohawk) were more like Aunties, taking great care on the set of the series to make sure everyone felt safe to tell this story. Darla Contois is the star of Little Bird in the role of Esther/Bezhig. The Cree-Saulteaux actor from Misipawistik Cree Nation says she brought her own family's experience with the Scoop to inform her role." - CBC Unreserved

ABOUT: CBC Unreserved is a fearless space for Indigenous voices. Join Rosanna Deerchild every Friday for vibrant conversations with our cousins, aunties, elders, and heroes. Rosanna guides us on the path to better understanding our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations. You can find Unreserved wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/hNN9bA4U

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Dallas Goldtooth is a Dakota-Diné actor, comedian, and writer. He is a land defender, gamer, and mediocre horseback rider who is kicking down doors in Hollywood, writing and acting in groundbreaking shows like Reservation Dogs, Echo, and Fallout. He cut his teeth in the world of comedy with the 1491s, a sketch comedy group that travelled all through Indian country giving side-splitting performances and making connections. Now, Dallas and the squad are bringing Indigenous stories to the screen and making Indigenous actors household names. He shares his biggest tips for succeeding in the industry and his take home message? Be a good relative! Listen on to hear more about how he balances acting, activism, and social media, how he tackles toxic masculinity through comedy, and what shocked him the most about living in Montreal.

TRANSCRIPT HERE.

If you liked this episode, be sure to check out "Pretendians" with Robert Jago and Angel Ellis. Their recent episode about pretendians in Hollywood is a must-listen!

Thank you to the Indigenous Screen Office for supporting Actors and Ancestors!

Thank you to Cheekbone Beauty for their support of the Season 2 launch! Visit the Actors and Ancestors Instagram page to find out how to win one of three $250 gift cards.

And you can still use the code ACTORS10 for 10% off your Decolonial Clothing purchases as an Actors and Ancestors listener.

CREDITS: Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

00:01:12 - Introduction to Dallas Goldtooth, who claims him, and his family

00:04:30 - The small pool of Native actors means you're often up for the same roles

00:08:25 - Why Dallas and JD don't want to do "stoic Indian on a horse in the 1800s" roles

00:11:30 - "Worst Indian on camera" Dallas' story of portraying Chief Little Crow in a student film

00:13:59 - Fallout: is Dallas the first actual Indigenous person in the Fallout Universe?

00:18:39 - What was in a Brooklyn warehouse and why the Fallout TV show costumes were so good

00:21:41 - Dallas gets this question all the time: How can I get involved in the industry?

00:24:27 - Healthy masculinity and how Dallas uses comedy to combat toxicity

00:27:58 - How does Dallas do it all? Comedy, Organizing, Being Indigenous!

00:32:34 - Social media reach and expending social capital for social justice

00:34:01 - "Old Sacred Teaching"

00:37:58 - Indigenous celebrity and what it means

00:40:34 - Dallas' fear and hope for Indigenous stories in the industry

00:41:54 - What shocked Dallas about Montreal

00:42:48 - Circle of Life

00:43:18 - Movie set lingo

00:44:25 - How to act on set

00:45:55 - Red Red Carpet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twice the medicine, twice the bannock, no spirit animals! Welcome to Season 2 of Actors & Ancestors, an Indigenous Film & TV podcast.

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Actors & Ancestors is created, produced and hosted by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Thank you to the Indigenous Screen Office for their support!

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All music provided by https://slip.stream

Track: "Spaghetti Standoff", Flint Eastgood

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/8fnuPn

Track: "Fiery Thunder"

Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/337b9163-74f2-435a-a7a5-e88eb1b418a0?utm_source=attribution

Track: "Ricochet Western 01"

Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/6e154b9a-34d6-4fb0-8417-f052fbb6b031?utm_source=attribution

Track: "Get Some Edge"

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/HEZLrT

Track: "Hawk Call Squawk 03"

Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/c5a537cb-944f-4492-a8de-194bec2fa24b?utm_source=attribution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Evan Adams is an accomplished actor-turned-doctor from Tla’amin Nation. His iconic portrayal of Thomas Builds-the-Fire in the 1998 movie “Smoke Signals” cemented him in Indigenous film history. Dr. Adams laughs with JD about just how many doctor roles he has played, explains how his traditional upbringing prepared him for the world of academia, and reveals how his acting life and the medical world can sometimes painfully clash. Join us in this exciting season finale with one of the most recognizable faces on the Indigenous acting scene!

A huge thank you to the Indigenous Screen Office for their support of the show.

We'd also like to thank our newest partner, Decolonial Clothing for providing each of our guests with a gift. They've also got a gift for you, dear listener! There's a discount code somewhere in this episode for 10% off your Decolonial Clothing orders. Keep an ear out for it or go to our website and find it on the episode page.

Actors and Ancestors is created, produced, and hosted by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

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SFX Track: "Fiery Thunder"

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/337b9163-74f2-435a-a7a5-e88eb1b418a0?utm_source=attribution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is an Oji-Cree-Anishinaabe actor born in Toronto whose people are from Big Trout Lake First Nation. On this episode, D’Pharaoh tells us how taking a chance and standing out in his audition scored him a lead role in the hit series, Reservation Dogs, how hard it is to accurately throw a Molotov, and how casting directors can do a better job casting Native roles across the industry.

D'Pharaoh's Red Red Carpet shout-out goes to Angelique Midthunder, casting director of Reservation Dogs.

Transcript available here. See more at www.actorsandancestors.com/episodes.

00:00:10 - Introduction to D'Pharaoh, his land, and who claims him

00:04:08 - How D'Pharaoh started acting and the movie "Beans", about the Oka Crisis

00:17:15 - Joel talks about how Beans shut down the Mercier Bridge in Montreal and the racism they experienced from the public

00:21:38 - D'Pharoah's experience throwing molotovs on set

00:25:28 - Reservation Dogs auditions process and how D'Pharaoh stood out

00:33:23 - How D'Pharaoh stays humble and grounded

00:43:50 - D'Pharaoh's advice to aspiring Indigenous actors

00:47:35 - Moving from nepotism to community

00:52:50 - The Red Red Carpet segment

CREDITS:

Actors and Ancestors is created, produced, and hosted by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Episode photograph by Kjohn, photo provided by D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.

Actors and Ancestors is supported by a podcasting grant from the Indigenous Screen Office.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel wanted to cast a wider net for roles and try to get work in the United States. But first, he needed to get a social security number. Follow Joel's journey over the border to get his SSN!

The Jay Treaty allows Indigenous Peoples in Canada to travel freely across the border to work, live, or study. The idea sounds easy but it was pretty challenging to find the right information and get the right documents. Hopefully Joel's experience will help you navigate the system if you're an Indigenous actor in the same boat! This information is not legal advice.

What Joel needed:

1. Signed letter from his band
2. Long form birth certificate
3. Treaty card
4. Other ID (driver's license or passport)

More info:

• USCIS Green Card for an American Indian Born in Canada (you don't need a green card to get an SSN but some useful information)
• Canadian-born Native Americans: Work or Green Card?
• Border Crossing Rights Under the Jay Treaty (this is an old post but still useful)

Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support by Daniella Barreto.

Music Credit at 01:41

Track: "Endless Summers"

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/K665Z0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5: Isabella Star LaBlanc is a Dakota actor living in Minnesota. She’s a lifelong theatre actor and self-described “bookstore girl” who got her start surrounded by stories and storytellers. Her breakout screen performance is happening right now as she plays Leah Danvers, alongside Jodie Foster (Liz Danvers) in True Detective. Listen to Isabella explain why she’s not moving to LA or New York– at least not permanently, what it’s like to play a character younger than you actually are, and why Indigenous mentors and peers are so important in an industry that doesn’t always support community. (Bonus- hear her hot take on the Frybread vs. Indian Taco war)

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Isabella's Red Red Carpet film recommendation is Long Line of Ladies by Shaandiin Tome. 
 

If you'd like this little indie show to keep going, please consider a donation on the website at www.actorsandancestors.com

Actors and Ancestors  is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4: Navigating the Industry Wolves with Anna Lambe

Anna Lambe is an Inuk actor and filmmaker who’s a rising star to watch this coming year. Her breakout role was in The Grizzlies at just 18 years old, followed soon after by a part in the ill-fated CBC series, Trickster and, most recently, the lead on a soon-to-be-announced Arctic TV series. Despite her rocketing early career success, she admits the cutthroat nature of show business can be tough to navigate for sensitive souls. Tune in for the last episode of 2023 for tips about dealing with rejection in the industry, identity fraud and pretendians, strange encounters in Iceland, and what she and JD are considering for their first LA red carpet premiere!

Indigenous designers Anna mentions in the episode:  Lesley Hampton, Pam Baker, Helen Oro, and Victoria’s Arctic Fashions.

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Actors and Ancestors  is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3: Ditching Leathers and Feathers with Darrell Dennis

Darrell Dennis is a trailblazing veteran Secwépemc actor, comedian, and now– writer and director. Joel caught up with him on location in Cowichan Territory while they were filming Darrell’s new film, Sweet Summer Pow Wow in August.

You’ll hear about Darrell’s very first job as the lead on a CBC teen drama at 17, his narrow escape from a possible Starlight Tour in Winnipeg, and how the casting category of “ethnically ambiguous” opened up new kinds of roles for him. From the old stereotypes of “leather and feather” roles, he is only now starting to see stories written, produced, acted, and directed by Indigenous people. Listen to Darrell’s plans for upcoming productions and be excited for the future of Indigenous film! 
TRANSCRIPT HERE

Actors and Ancestors  is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Also, check out our friends, BIPOC Credits Podcast, they share a monthly newsletter full of opportunities in the film and TV industry. Here are links to their Newsletter, Podcast, and Instagram.

Actors and Ancestors  is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.