Tantoo Cardinal

What inspires me about Tantoo is her sincerety & patience with others. Her ability to make life's 'poisons' into medicine plus being able to balance her fame with being a real person is rare indeed. In my life I have bumped into several celebrities foreign & domestic (entertainers & political figures) in unexpected & unconventional circumstances & places...i.e. the road side, the woods, dark university hallways, the zoo, Dollar General Store etc. The fact that Tantoo Cardinal actually takes the time, even if it is just a sentence to personally respond to individual common people is hallmark and speaks volumes about her character. Tantoo, you rock girl & keep on keepin real! PS My humblest apologies to Mr. Robin Williams, I'm sorry I shoved your stuff out of my way & didn't recognize you..my friend had been found dead & I wasn't myself that day. Mary Wandering Soul

I've grown up watching her on tv and she has inspired me to go for my dreams, and also speak out about native issues. I've watched almost every movie she has made and I have loved every single one. she not only inspires native people but women as well. She is a strong woman and her attitude about being who she is makes me be proud to be who I am. Autumn Lee

Tantoo Cardinal has played many roles that relate to real life. In present times and from stories that happened long ago. She makes me want to do the same in my own every day life. I.e. to continue to tell the stories of what was done to the Indian people when the English Settlers put the children in boarding schools and forced them to cut their hair and give up their traditional ways. The punishments that were endured and the hurt that was put upon these children and their families. And stories of life as it is today concerning domestic violence. child abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, things we should all speak up about. The parts Tantoo plays in her acting career are very important to women and children in particular. I want 2 do more 2 let others know what's really going on behind closed doors the same way Tantoo portrays the characters in her roles. I want to write more artcles on domestic abuse and all the broken promises of the past. When we are silent, we let the abusers win. JoAnna Dove Tree hugger

After years of emotional and physical abuse I finally broke the cycle of being a victim. It wasn't an easy thing to do because of manipulating brainwashing by abusive men and even other family members. Because of strong women like Tantoo Cardinal and her work bringing domestic violence to the forefront in films and theater I continued to grow into a survivor rather than a victim. I became stronger each day until I was able to get away from the danger that surrounded me and nearly killed me. I will never be a victim again and Tantoo reinforces my belief that women can do many things to help themselves and other women as well. If they stand up for themselves and step back to see the bigger picture there's no stopping them. Sometimes all it takes is the first step, just saying "NO" to abuse and "YES" to one's self. Thank you Tantoo Cardinal. I respect and admire you greatly. JoAnna Dove Negron Poet, writer, activist

As a Native person and one who enjoys any movies that Native American actors are in, I especially like those that Tantoo are in. So I guess you can say I am a big fan. But, there has always been something else that has caught my attention in her and it is her passion for what she believes in. Her drive to fight for the rights of not only Native American and Canada's Indigenous people but her passion above violence toward women. As both Native and a retired police officer I fully understand the passions she has against the wrongs of the past and today. She is a great spokes person for all of us. I am honored to be her friend and would do anything to support her. Don Myers Tantoo

I think when I was growing up there were so many native people that were nowhere near the beginining of a healthy lifestyle; it was when I first saw this woman; beautiful, talented and First Nations; Tantoo Cardinal, that I began to believe that we were destined for so much more than reserves and poverty. She helped me to understand myself and break free of the cycles I had become accustomed to just by her work alone. I saw that she shone a light that I too wanted; and it was a genuine desire to be a better person as a result of watching her rise! The fact that I now know how down to earth and truly wonderful she is keeps me inspired continually! ironbowmichalene How Tantoo Inspires Me