Tantoo Cardinal
Native Actress, Dancing With Wolves
Previously Aired On: July 12, 2006 – Listen to this Show!
The tall, lanky, Tantoo Cardinal is a metis, the term in Canada applying to those of mixed Native American and European descent. Raised among the Cree, her acting career has included roles as the knowing wife of the Medicine Man in Dances With Wolves (1990), the poignant childless companion of Rip Torn in Where the Rivers Flow North (1993) and the mother of Brad Pitt’s wife in Legends of the Fall (1994). Cardinal has also worked extensively on TV, often in PBS dramas or films on historical First American figures and stories.
Being involved with the Amer-Indian movement of the 1970′s Tantoo felt acting would be a way to reach people and send her message of truth to the world. Along with Russell Means, Graham Greene and others she has accomplished a part of her mission. She began with public speaking and lecturing on the Native-American condition which gave her confidence. Cardinal was a leader of a youth group petitioning to get the Canadian government to build more schools on Indian reservations in the province of Alberta when she was cast in a small role in a 1971 Canadian docudrama on the life of Albert Lacombe, a 19th century Roman Catholic missionary.
Tantoo has garnered many acting awards for her work. She has done much for the Native-American community throughout her life. Recently she accepted the Sun Hill Award for Excellence in Native American Filmmaking at the Harvard Film Archive. The award is given in honor of a director, actor, producer, or writer who has made a significant contribution to the legacy of Native American film.
I just finished watching the movie about Little Foot and
saw Tantoo as the granma and wanted to find out about her.
My wife and I both have Native American ancestry and have
so much compassion for all Native Americans. She is involved with drug and alcohol surveys and sees the toll
drugs and alcohol have taken on these people. She has
seen so much in the years that she has been involved with
this field. We have enjoyed so many movies with Native
American actors like Tantoo, Graham Greene, Wes Studi, and
many more that I can’t think of their names. Maybe one day
they will get the recognition they so justly deserve.
Thank you, Mike Griffin, Sr.
Comment by Mike Griffin, Sr. | October 2, 2008
I’m doing an assignment, a mini-profile, on Tantoo Cardinal. I think that Tantoo has made a big difference in our community. She has supported youth groups in her acting and films and although I’ve never seen her movies, I can tell that she cares a lot to have the government build more reserves and schools. I think that she is just very talented. And she deserves all her awards she got.
Comment by Michelle | May 3, 2009
really. posts had to comment to say on something
Comment by Gabrielle Union | December 20, 2010