Tantoo Cardinal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tantoo Cardinal
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Cardinal in 2025
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Tantoo Caroline Rose Cardinal
July 20, 1950 Anzac, Alberta, Canada
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Children | 3, including Cliff Cardinal |
Tantoo Cardinal (born July 20, 1950) is a famous Canadian actress. She has Cree and Métis heritage, which means she has Indigenous roots from two distinct groups in Canada.
Cardinal is a highly respected actress. In 2009, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors, given to people who make a big difference in the country. She received it for her work in helping Indigenous performing arts grow in Canada.
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Early Life and Background
Tantoo Cardinal was born in Anzac, a small community in Alberta, Canada. She was the youngest of three children. Her mother, Julia, was of Cree and Métis descent.
Growing up in Anzac, there was no electricity. This encouraged her to use her imagination while playing outside in nature. Her grandmother gave her the nickname "Tantoo." It was the name of the bug spray they used when they picked blueberries together.
Her grandmother was a very important person in her life. She taught Cardinal the Cree language and the traditional ways of their culture. She also taught her how to act, just by watching and following her.
A Career on Stage and Screen
Tantoo Cardinal has had a long and successful career. She has appeared in many well-known movies and TV shows. Some of her famous films include Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, and Smoke Signals.
She has also starred in popular TV shows like North of 60 and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. In the Netflix series Longmire, she played Marilyn Yarlott, a medicine woman living on the Crow reservation.
Theater and Activism
Cardinal is also a talented stage actress. In 2012, she performed in an all-Indigenous production of William Shakespeare's play King Lear. She played the role of Regan.
Besides acting, Cardinal cares deeply about the environment. In 2011, she joined a protest against the building of a large oil pipeline called the Keystone Pipeline. She wanted to help protect the land and water.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Tantoo Cardinal has won many awards for her work.
- Order of Canada: She was appointed a Member in 2009 for her contributions to the arts.
- Earle Grey Award: In 2017, she received this lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
- Indspire Award: An award that honors the achievements of Indigenous people in Canada.
- Canada's Walk of Fame: She was inducted for her amazing career in film and television.
- Governor General's Performing Arts Award: She received this major award in 2021.
Personal Life
Tantoo Cardinal has three children. Her son, Cliff Cardinal, is also a successful actor and playwright.
Selected Film and Television Roles
Cardinal has been in over 100 movies and television shows. Here are some of her most notable roles:
- Black Shawl in Dances With Wolves (1990)
- Pet Decker in Legends of the Fall (1994)
- Snow Bird in the TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1995)
- Arlene Joseph in Smoke Signals (1998)
- Betty Moses in the TV series North of 60 (1994–1997)
- Alice Crowheart in Wind River (2017)
- Iyovi in the TV miniseries Godless (2017)
- Lizzie Q in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
- Sue Lynn Blackbird in the TV series Stumptown (2019–2020)
- Chula in the TV miniseries Echo (2024)
She has also done voice acting for animated shows, including the role of Moon in Spirit Rangers.
See also
In Spanish: Tantoo Cardinal para niños
