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Gordon Tootoosis

CM
Gordon Tootoosis.jpg
Tootoosis in the 1970s
Born (1941-10-25)October 25, 1941
Poundmaker Reserve, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died July 5, 2011(2011-07-05) (aged 69)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Resting place Poundmaker Reserve, Saskatchewan
Occupation Actor
Years active 1974–2011
Spouse(s)
Irene Seseequasis
​
(m. 1965)​
Children 6

Gordon Tootoosis (October 25, 1941 – July 5, 2011) was a respected First Nations actor from Canada. He was part of the Cree and Stoney peoples. Gordon was a descendant of Yellow Mud Blanket, whose brother was the famous Cree leader Pîhtokahanapiwiyin.

He was known for his strong dedication to keeping his culture alive. He also worked to share the stories of his people. Gordon once said, "Leadership is about submission to duty, not elevation to power." He helped start the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. He also encouraged and trained new Aboriginal actors. Gordon was an important Cree activist. He worked as a social worker and as a band chief. In the animated movies Open Season and Boog and Elliot's Midnight Bun Run, Tootoosis was the voice of Sheriff Gordy.

Gordon Tootoosis received a special honor called the Order of Canada on October 29, 2004. This award recognized him as an inspiring role model for young Aboriginal people. It also noted his long career as an actor. He played many memorable characters in movies and TV shows in Canada and the United States.

Gordon Tootoosis' Acting Career

Gordon Tootoosis started his acting career in 1974. His first movie was Alien Thunder. He acted alongside famous stars like Chief Dan George and Donald Sutherland. In the 1990s, he played Albert Golo in 52 episodes of the TV show North of 60.

He became well-known to British audiences for his role in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (2002). He played Joe Saugus, a Native American who helped buy the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge. Gordon also appeared in the CBC Television mini-series By Way of the Stars. In this series, he acted with Eric Schweig and Tantoo Cardinal. He was also in the award-winning movie Legends of the Fall (1994). He worked with Russell Means in Disney's Pocahontas (1995) and Song of Hiawatha (1997).

In 1999, he and Tantoo Cardinal helped create the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. In 2011, he returned to the stage after 15 years. He performed in a play called Gordon Winter. Gordon Tootoosis won a Gemini Award for his voice work on the animated show Wapos Bay: The Series. He was also nominated twice for his acting in North of 60.

Gordon Tootoosis' Life Story

Gordon Tootoosis grew up with his 13 brothers and sisters. They followed the traditions of the Plains Cree people. However, he was later forced to leave his home. At that time, the Canadian government had a policy of taking Indigenous children from their families. These children were sent to residential schools. Gordon was placed in a Catholic residential school. There, he was treated harshly and was not allowed to speak his own language.

His father, John Tootoosis, was an activist who fought for aboriginal rights. This sometimes caused trouble for young Gordon at school. After his difficult school years, Gordon became a social worker. He specialized in helping children and young people who were in trouble.

Gordon was very interested in his own cultural traditions. He became a skilled native dancer and a rodeo roper. In the 1960s and 1970s, he traveled with the Plains InterTribal Dance Troupe. They performed across Canada, Europe, and South America. He also became one of North America's most popular powwow announcers.

His father was one of the founders of the National Indian Brotherhood. He also led the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). Gordon himself served as the chief of his band. He also worked as a vice-president of FSIN.

Gordon Tootoosis married Irene Seseequasis in 1965. They had three daughters: Glynis, Alanna, and Disa. They also had three sons: Lee, Winston Bear, and Clint. In 1997, their daughter Glynnis passed away from cancer. After this, Gordon and Irene took on the important role of raising Glynnis's four children in Saskatoon.

Gordon Tootoosis passed away on July 5, 2011, at the age of 69. He had been in the hospital for pneumonia in Saskatoon. His funeral and burial took place on the Poundmaker Cree Nation Reserve in Cut Knife. In 2015, the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company changed its name. It is now called the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre Company. This was done to honor his memory and contributions.

Selected Film and TV Roles

Gordon Tootoosis had many roles in movies and television. Here are some of his notable appearances:

See also

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