SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company honoured one of its co-founders with a name change. Sixteen years have passed since the inception of the theatre company, which was co-founded by Gordon Tootoosis, along with fellow actors Tantoo Cardinal and Kennetch Charlette, in 1999.
A gala was recently held at Dakota Dunes Casino to honour Tootoosis, with 400 family and friends celebrating his life and legacy. His long-time friend Andrea Menard hosted the gala and people witnessed the theatre’s renaming.
It officially changed its name to Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre.
After his passing in 2011 at the age of 69, the theatre company wanted to honour the veteran actor and the work he has done for young people. Nīkānīwin is a Plains Cree expression for “leadership.”
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Tootoosis had a long and illustrious acting career portraying memorable characters in movies and television productions in Canada and the United States.
To name a few: he was in the film Legends of the Fall alongside Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins, Disney’s animated feature Pocahontas and the Saskatoon-based children’s television series Wapos Bay.
Tootoosis was also a trailblazer in the indigenous community. He was passionate about instilling pride, cultural identity and artistic expression in indigenous youth.
The theatre company says Tootoosis was the driving force behind the creation of its “Circle of Voices” program, where youth are mentored in theatre and cultural teachings. The mentorship program is now in its 13th year and over 100 youth have been trained.
Tootoosis was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005 for his services to performing arts in the country.
He was from the Poundmaker Cree Nation which is west of North Battleford, Sask.
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