Gordon Tootoosis, a renowned First Nations actor of Cree and Stoney descent, was born on October 25, 1941, and passed away on July 5, 2011. As a descendant of Yellow Mud Blanket, brother of the famous Cree leader Pîhtokahanapiwiyin, he was deeply rooted in his cultural heritage.
Tootoosis was a dedicated advocate for preserving his culture and telling his people's stories. He believed that leadership was about submission to duty, not elevation to power. He served as a founding member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, offering encouragement, support, and training to aspiring Aboriginal actors.
As a social worker and band chief, Tootoosis was a leading Cree activist, fighting for the rights and well-being of his community. He also lent his voice to several animated shows, including Open Season and Boog and Elliot's Midnight Bun Run, where he voiced Sheriff Gordy.
Tootoosis received the prestigious Order of Canada on October 29, 2004, and was formally invested on September 9, 2005. His citation praised him as an inspirational role model for Aboriginal youth, acknowledging his contributions to the film and television industry in Canada and the United States.
Throughout his career, Tootoosis appeared in numerous productions, including the film Alien Thunder (1974),the television series North of 60, and the award-winning movie Legends of the Fall (1994). He also starred in Disney's Pocahontas (1995) and Song of Hiawatha (1997),alongside Russell Means.
In addition to his acting career, Tootoosis was a founding member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, alongside Tantoo Cardinal. He won a Gemini Award for his work on the animated show Wapos Bay: The Series and was nominated twice for his work on North of 60.
In his later years, Tootoosis returned to the stage, appearing in Gordon Winter at the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon and Prairie Scene in Ottawa, his first stage role in 15 years.
