Actress Tantoo Cardinal, a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. The Order of Canada recognizes Cardinal for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing arts in Canada. Arguably the most widely recognized Native Actress of her generation; Tantoo has appeared in numerous plays, ...
John Lawlor (m. 1988–2000), Fred Martin (m. 1968–1976)
Children
Clifford Cardinal, Riel Cardinal, Cheyenne Martin
Parents
Julia Cardinal
Awards
Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role Dramatic Series
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Quote
1
I got into acting through my political involvement, through a sense of justice. I wanted to see things change, to offset some of the lies that have been told about us throughout history. The attitude of the public back in the '60s was so backward and ill-informed. By the time I found out about our history and how we were treated, I was in a rage. It was really a time of darkness and great frustration. There was an incredible wall we had to get through." ...[The] Canadian Content Rule, which came into existence in the mid 1960s, was the beginning to opening doors and minds. It resulted in producers actually casting real Native people to play Native roles.
2
Life in the business is also highly challenging. Sometimes you are dissatisfied, it's difficult sometimes. You're always thinking of how it could be better. It's a 20-legged race, you don't work alone. There are so many others working to tell the same story. We as Indian artists don't have the luxury of being individuals. We represent ages and ages. The work of an artist is a highly responsible one."
3
We had no TV where I grew up in my community in northern Canada, and the only images of native people that I was exposed to were my family and my relatives; these were wonderful and strong individuals whom I looked up to. It was only when I moved to Edmonton in Alberta in 1965, that I saw a different kind of image that was prevalent in Canadian society at that time, a negative image of native peoples as having no fixed address, and of being somehow 'lesser than.' Acting for me was a way to redress this imbalance; acting allows me to present a different kind of truth, to bring some light back into the stories of our history.
#
Fact
1
Lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada. [January 2008]
2
Lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. [November 2004]
3
Born in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, the first child of of a Metis woman named Julia Cardinal, she was raised by her maternal Cree grandmother in Anzac, Alberta (her step-grandfather was English).
4
She married Fred Martin following high school graduation. The marriage suffered by her strong social activism which for the most part took her away from her husband and son Cheyenne. The marriage ended in 1976 and Fred went on to raise their son.
5
Performed in a series of one-hour documentaries called "As Long as the Rivers Flow," about Native Canadians' drive for self-government.
6
Received many awards in recognition of her acting accomplishments and her dedication to the native community, including: the Best Actress Award at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco; the Theatrical Sterling Award for Best Actress in "All My Relations" (1990); the Native Indian Film Festival's Eagle Spirit Award for lifetime contribution to the native artistic community; and an Outstanding Achievement award from the Toronto chapter of Women in Film and Television (WIFT). She also accepted the Sun Hill Award for Excellence in Native American Filmmaking.
7
Learned Lakota for the Academy Award-winning film, Dances with Wolves (1990).
8
Native activism was reaching its height in the late 60s and early 1970s when she began experimenting with acting. As a young actress, Cardinal began her career with a docudrama for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) and in productions for the Alberta Native Communications Society.
9
Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1994.
10
Other children, Cheynne and Clifford.
11
Daughter with husband John Lawlor, Riel. She was named after Louis Riel, the Métis father of Manitoba (which originated as a quasi-independent Métis nation, of which Riel was the first and only president).
12
In 1993 she received an honorary degree from the University of Rochester.
13
She is "métis," the French cognate of Spanish "mestizo," indicating a person of mixed American Aboriginal and European ancestry (usually an Algonquian ethnic group and a Celtic and/or French ethnic group). Cardinal is Cree and French.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Wind of Heaven
2017
pre-production
Eydie Iron Bull
Ghostkiller
2017
announced
Aunt Rosie Stillwind (rumored)
Rez Carz
2013
Short completed voice
Mohawk Girls
2014-2016
TV Series
Zoe's Mom
ARQ
2016
The Pope
On the Farm
2016
Ada Taylor
Penny Dreadful
2016
TV Series
Old Native American Woman
Blackstone
2012-2015
TV Series
Wilma Stoney
Longmire
2015
TV Series
Crow Medicine Woman
Hope Bridge
2015
Lana
Down Here
2014
Stella Mitchell
Strange Empire
2014
TV Series
Pichette
Pilgrims
2013/I
Short
Big Girl
Maïna
2013
Tekahera
Arctic Air
2013
TV Series
Aunt Mary
From Above
2013
Older Venus
The Killing
2012
TV Series
Hooker
Eden
2012/I
The Nurse
Shouting Secrets
2011
June
Shattered
2010
TV Series
Carol
Fathers & Sons
2010
Gordon's Sister
Every Emotion Costs
2010
Aunt Marcy
Dear Prudence
2009
TV Movie
Ruth Vigil
Walking on Turtle Island
2009
Short
Lodge Wife
Water Under the Bridge
2009
Short
Neighbor
Tales of an Urban Indian
2009
TV Movie
Dianne
Mothers&Daughters
2008
Celine
Changing Climates, Changing Times
2008
TV Movie
Grace Lajoie
Mom, Dad and Her
2008
TV Movie
Heather
Ancestor Eyes
2008
Short
Verna
The Englishman's Boy
2008
TV Mini-Series
Little Soldier's Wife
Older Than America
2008
Auntie Apple
The Guard
2008
TV Series
Ursula
Luna: Spirit of the Whale
2007
TV Movie
Gloria Maquinna
Unnatural & Accidental
2006
Aunt Shadie / Rita
The Road to Christmas
2006
TV Movie
Sioux Woman
Moccasin Flats
2003-2006
TV Series
Betty Merasty
Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis
2006
TV Mini-Series
A Thief of Time
2004
TV Movie
Irene Musket
H2o
2004
TV Series
Grand Chief Katie Blackfire
Memory
2004/I
Short
Ida
Windy Acres
2004
TV Series
Aunt Laura
DreamKeeper
2003
TV Movie
Old Pawnee Woman
A Day Out with Gordy
2002
Short
Woman
Tom Stone
2002
TV Series
Judge Crowfoot
How the Fiddle Flows
2002
TV Movie
Narrator
Edge of Madness
2002
Ruth
MythQuest
2001
TV Series
Walloha
Family Law
2001
TV Series
Mrs. Grant
Dodson's Journey
2001
TV Movie
Waitress
The Lost Child
2000
TV Movie
Aunt Mary
Canada: A People's History
2000
TV Series
Plains Storyteller
Blood River
2000
Short
Claire / Mattie
Postmark Paradise
2000
Reenie
Navigating the Heart
2000
TV Movie
Mary
In Jest
1999
A Stranger in the Kingdom
1999
Heaven Fontaine
The Hi-Line
1999
Singing Bird
Heartwood
1998
Violet Boucher
Cold Squad
1998
TV Series
Theresa Sandiman
Smoke Signals
1998
Arlene Joseph
Big Bear
1998
TV Mini-Series
Running Second
Honey Moccasin
1998
Honey Moccasin
Silence
1997
Dolores
The Education of Little Tree
1997
Granma
North of 60
1994-1997
TV Series
Betty Moses
Grand Avenue
1996
TV Movie
Nellie
Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years
1996
TV Series
Gabe LaRoche's Mother
Tecumseh: The Last Warrior
1995
TV Movie
Turtle Mother
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993-1995
TV Series
Snow Bird
500 Nations
1995
TV Mini-Series
Legends of the Fall
1994
Pet
Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee
1994
TV Movie
Mary's mother
Sioux City
1994
Dawn Rainfeather
Before Columbus, Programme One: Invasion
1993
Narrator (voice)
Before Columbus, Programme Three: Rebellion
1993
Narrator (voice)
Before Columbus, Programme Two: Conversion
1993
Narrator (voice)
Mustard Bath
1993
Sister Amantha
Spirit Rider
1993
TV Movie
Marilyn St.Claire
Harts of the West
1993
TV Series
Helen
Where the Rivers Flow North
1993
Bangor
Silent Tongue
1993
Silent Tongue
By Way of the Stars
1992-1993
TV Mini-Series
Franoise
Street Legal
1992
TV Series
Renee Stonehouse
Lightning Field
1991
TV Movie
Vivian
Black Robe
1991
Chomina's Wife
Dances with Wolves
1990
Black Shawl
The Campbells
1990
TV Series
Maria Brant
Divided Loyalties
1990
Molly Brant
War Party
1988
Sonny's Mother
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
1987
TV Movie
Little Doe
Loyalties
1987
Rosanne Ladouceur
Candy Mountain
1987
Annie
Places Not Our Own
1986
Rose (as Tantoo Martin-Cardinal)
Spirit Bay
1984
TV Series
Annie
Running Brave
1983
Caroline (as Tantoo Martin)
New Day - New Horizon
1982
Short
Death Hunt
1981
Indian Woman (as Tantoo Martin)
Marie Ann
1978
Tantou, Indian princess (as Tantoo Martin)
He Comes Without Calling
1975
Short
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stories from the Seventh Fire
1999
Short
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dances with Wolves: The Creation of an Epic
2003
Video documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Chasing Lear
2016
Documentary
Herself
The Pass System
2015
Documentary
Narrator
Crying Earth Rise Up
2015
Documentary
Narrator (voice)
Katie Chats
2015
TV Series
Herself
In the Room
2015
TV Series
Herself
Our Healing Journey: Trailer
2014
Documentary
Narrator (voice)
Grasslands
2014
TV Movie documentary
Narrator
Standing on Sacred Ground
2013
Documentary voice
Untamed Gourmet
2011-2013
TV Series documentary
Narrator
Standing on Sacred Ground: Pilgrims and Tourists
2013
Documentary voice
Saskatchewan River Delta
2009
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Narrator
The Spirit of Sacajawea
2007
Documentary voice
Dream Makers
2006
Documentary
Herself - Host
Dances with Wolves: The Creation of an Epic
2003
Video documentary
Herself
Until the Violence Stops
2003
Herself
In Jest: Behind the Scenes
1999
Video documentary short
Herself
Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
1997
TV Special documentary voice
The West
1996
TV Series documentary
The 1996 Gemini Awards
1996
TV Special
Herself
Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West
1995
Documentary
Sarah Winnemucca
The Making of 'Dances with Wolves'
1990
TV Short documentary
Herself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2015
August Schellenberg Award of Excellence
ImagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival
2013
American Indian Movie Award
American Indian Film Festival
Best Supporting Actress
Maïna (2013)
2012
Leo
Leo Awards
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series
Blackstone (2011)
2012
Leo
Leo Awards
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series
Blackstone (2011)
2012
FirstGlance Award
Philadelphia FirstGlance Film Festival
Best Ensemble Cast
Shouting Secrets (2011)
2008
Women in Film Award
Vancouver International Film Festival
Mothers&Daughters (2008)
2001
FAITA Award
First Americans in the Arts Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a TV Movie/Special
Navigating the Heart (2000)
1998
FAITA Award
First Americans in the Arts Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Film (Lead)
The Education of Little Tree (1997)
1996
Gemini
Gemini Awards
Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series
North of 60 (1992)
1995
Sir Peter Ustinov Award
Banff Television Festival
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2011
Leo
Leo Awards
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series
Shattered (2010)
2009
Leo
Leo Awards
Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Feature Length Drama
Mothers&Daughters (2008)
1998
Gemini
Gemini Awards
Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series
North of 60 (1992)
1997
Gemini
Gemini Awards
Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series
$8 Million
