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...

[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,...

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...

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.stream Track: "Spaghetti Standoff", Flint Eastgood Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/8fnuPn Track:...

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...

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...

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...

Isabella Star LaBlanc is a Dakota actor living in Minnesota whose world before TV stardom was bookshops and theatre. Listen to her explain how it feels to not act your age, why she's staying in her home state, and why peers and mentors are key for Indigenous actors.

Despite her rocketing early career success, Anna Lambe shares how the cutthroat nature of show business can be tough to navigate for sensitive souls and gives tips about dealing with rejection. Tune in to hear about strange encounters in Iceland and what she and JD are considering for their first LA red carpet premiere!

Darrell Dennis is a trailblazing veteran Secwépemc actor, comedian, and now– writer and director. You’ll hear about Darrell’s very first job as the lead on a CBC teen drama and how he's only recently seeing stories written, produced, acted, and directed by Indigenous people.

Meet boxing world champion turned champion of the box office, Kali Reis. Hear about how her ancestry relates to her fighting career, how boxing is similar to acting, and what it's like to work opposite a screen legend.

Joel introduces you to... himself! From his first stage appearance (in a children's buckskin parade), getting the nickname "JD Hogg", to moving to Vancouver and giving acting a shot– get to know your host and what you can look forward to from Actors and Ancestors.

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.