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]

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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.

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.

Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Reservation Dogs.

Transcript available here. See more at www.actorsandancestors.com/episodes.

00:00:10 - Introduction to D'Pharaoh, his land, and who claims him

00:04:08 - How D'Pharaoh started acting and the movie "Beans", about the Oka Crisis

00:17:15 - Joel talks about how Beans shut down the Mercier Bridge in Montreal and the racism they experienced from the public

00:21:38 - D'Pharoah's experience throwing molotovs on set

00:25:28 - Reservation Dogs auditions process and how D'Pharaoh stood out

00:33:23 - How D'Pharaoh stays humble and grounded

00:43:50 - D'Pharaoh's advice to aspiring Indigenous actors

00:47:35 - Moving from nepotism to community

00:52:50 - The Red Red Carpet segment

CREDITS:

Actors and Ancestors is created, produced, and hosted by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Episode photograph by Kjohn, photo provided by D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.

Actors and Ancestors is supported by a podcasting grant from the Indigenous Screen Office.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Indigenous actor in the same boat! This information is not legal advice.

What Joel needed:

1. Signed letter from his band
2. Long form birth certificate
3. Treaty card
4. Other ID (driver's license or passport)

More info:

• USCIS Green Card for an American Indian Born in Canada (you don't need a green card to get an SSN but some useful information)
• Canadian-born Native Americans: Work or Green Card?
• Border Crossing Rights Under the Jay Treaty (this is an old post but still useful)

Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support by Daniella Barreto.

Music Credit at 01:41

Track: "Endless Summers"

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/K665Z0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 from the belly of Hollywood North aka unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories.

You'll recognize Joel from the award-winning film, Beans, and his upcoming features in Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender and Season 4 of HBO's True Detective. You’ll feel the warmth of Joel’s playful, adventurous spirit driving this show as soon as you hit play! What are you waiting for? TRANSCRIPT HERE.
Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.
Also, check out our friends, BIPOC Credits Podcast, they share a monthly newsletter full of opportunities in the film and TV industry. Here are links to their Newsletter, Podcast, and Instagram.

Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand with audio editing and production support from Daniella Barreto.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.