Tantoo Cardinal

Tantoo Cardinal (Cree and Métis) is an award-winning Canadian actor with more than 120 film, television, and theatre credits, including roles in the films Dances With Wolves and Killers of the Flower Moon, and the television drama, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Cardinal is known for not only her acting, but also her advocacy for Indigenous art and artists, as well as her commitment to environmentalism.

Cardinal's theatre work includes playing "Gertrude” in Hamlet, “Regan” in King Lear, and the role of “Pelajia” in a production of The Rez Sisters. Other features include: Legends of the Fall, Black Robe, Falls Around Her, Wind River, The Grizzlies, Where the Rivers Flow North, Maïna, Chasing Shakespeare, and Eden. Additional television credits include: See, Westworld, Longmire, Mohawk Girls, Frontier, Blackstone, Lonesome Dove, Outlander, Godless, and Penny Dreadful.

Cardinal is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and authentic storytelling in the arts. Her dedication to challenging stereotypes and amplifying Indigenous voices has earned her numerous honors, including the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, as well as honorary degrees from the University of Rochester, St. Lawrence University, the University of Calgary, the University of Fraser Valley, and the University of Winnipeg.

Cardinal is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.