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]***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 UnreservedABOUT: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 family00:04:30 - The small pool of Native actors means you're often up for the same roles00:08:25 - Why Dallas and JD don't want to do "stoic Indian on a horse in the 1800s" roles00:11:30 - "Worst Indian on camera" Dallas' story of portraying Chief Little Crow in a student film00:13:59 - 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 good00:21:41 - 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 toxicity00:27:58 - How does Dallas do it all? Comedy, Organizing, Being Indigenous!00:32:34 - Social media reach and expending social capital for social justice00:34:01 - "Old Sacred Teaching"00:37:58 - Indigenous celebrity and what it means00:40:34 - Dallas' fear and hope for Indigenous stories in the industry00:41:54 - What shocked Dallas about Montreal00:42:48 - Circle of Life00:43:18 - Movie set lingo00:44:25 - How to act on set00:45:55 - 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. ---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.streamTrack: "Spaghetti Standoff", Flint EastgoodDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/8fnuPnTrack: "Fiery Thunder"Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/337b9163-74f2-435a-a7a5-e88eb1b418a0?utm_source=attributionTrack: "Ricochet Western 01"Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/6e154b9a-34d6-4fb0-8417-f052fbb6b031?utm_source=attributionTrack: "Get Some Edge"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/HEZLrTTrack: "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.