Kiawentiio facts for kids

Kiawentiio Tarbell (born April 28, 2006), known simply as Kiawentiio, is a talented Mohawk actress and singer. She first appeared on television in the show Anne with an E in 2019. Her first movie was Beans in 2020. Today, she is well-known for playing Katara in the Netflix live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which started in 2024.

About Kiawentiio's Early Life

Kiawentiio is a member of the Mohawk Wolf Clan. She was born into a Mohawk family in Akwesasne. This is a special area that crosses both the Canada–United States border. It is located in Quebec, Canada, and New York State in the United States.

Her first name, Kiawentiio, means "nice morning" in the Kanienʼkéha language. She grew up on Kawehno:ke, also known as Cornwall Island. She went to Akwesasne Freedom School and Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School. Kiawentiio has dual citizenship, meaning she is a citizen of both Canada and the United States.

Kiawentiio's Acting Career

Kiawentiio began her acting journey by auditioning for the role of Ka'kwet. This character was part of an Indigenous storyline in the third season of Anne with an E. This TV show is set in Prince Edward Island. For this role, Kiawentiio learned to speak the Miꞌkmaq language. She also learned about the Mi'kmaq tribe's history and culture.

Starring in the Movie Beans

She also played the main character in the movie Beans (2020). In the film, she played a 12-year-old Mohawk girl. Her character lived in Kahnawake during the Oka Crisis in 1990. The movie was based on real events and was written and directed by Tracey Deer, who is also Mohawk. Beans was shown at the opening of the New York International Children's Film Festival.

Roles in TV Shows

Kiawentiio has appeared in the Peacock sitcom Rutherford Falls (2021). She played a character named Maya Thomas. In 2021, she was chosen for a very important role. She was cast as Katara in the Netflix live-action version of the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender series. This show premiered in 2024.

Film and Television Roles

Movies

Television Shows

Music and Awards

Music EPs

Music Singles

• Light at the End (2020) from the movie Beans
• This Moment (2021), from the EP In My Head
• Saying Goodnight (feat. Rasentonkwa Tarbell, 2021), from the EP In My Head
• Unfamiliar (2021), from the EP In My Head
• In What World (2021), from the EP In My Head

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Kiawentiio para niños