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 ..read more

[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 sti ..read more

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

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 ..read more

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: Signed letter from ..read more

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 - I ..read more

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 ..read more

We've come a long way from "Cowboys and Indians". It's a new age of cinema where First Nations, Inuit, and Métis actors are finally on the world stage, telling our own stories. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the hottest Indigenous stars and the elders of stage and screen as they laugh out loud and talk back to industry stereotypes. This show uplifts communities and celebrates Indigenous wins across Turtle Island and beyond. Hosted by Rocky Cree actor, Joel D. Montgrand. Actors and Ancestors  is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support ..read more