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 V...

[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...

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,...

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...

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....

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 s...

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 e...

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...

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 bu...

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,...

Episode 2: Fighting is My Medicine with Kali Reis 

Buckle up for this knockout interview with Seaconke Wampanoag actor, Kali Reis, aka Many Feathers Many Talents. Kali is the star of HBO's upcoming True Detective (Season 4) alongside acting legend, Jodie Foster, and your host, Joel D. Montgrand. 

Hear how Kali went from being a boxing world champion to champion of the box office, her advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women...

Episode 1: True North Strong and Cree with Joel D. Montgrand

Actors and Ancestors is a brand new film and TV podcast for Indigenous actors and anyone else who wants to learn. This is a special first episode where your host, Rocky Cree actor, Joel D. Montgrand tells you about his land, who claims him, and lets you in on the story of his journey to the screen. Originally from Treaty 6 and 10 in rural Saskatchewan, he records this show...

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...