About Us

From the first time I stepped onto a set, I recognized that this is an industry that could do very well in our communities.

Founder Tantoo Cardinal

I did not realize how long it would take.  It has been a long and lonesome journey through other people’s stories. Amid the vast ignorance of who we are, of  the contributions we are not being invited to make to the overall Society, I have been saddened that the fragments of story that have been utilized, tended to be skewered by screening through the Gel of Colonialism - interpretations long ago set in the foundations by the Queen, the Pope, the Fur Trade, and Oil. 

My family history was not talked about.  There has been a time of silence - shameful history being Indians, Eskimos and Half Breeds.  Laws to keep us downtrodden. Generations impacted by Residential Schools and poor education in general. The proud parent of Survival Schools and a lack-lustre early educational experience for some of us in the Indigenous world.

In my 50+ years in this business I have noticed the lack of focus on our stories, in this case, Métis stories.  

I have had to pick up on my own personal history in haphazard ways - due to the Silence hiding forbidden stories… emerging from a society where we had been outlawed.  Each time I learned more about who we are as Indigenous Peoples I grew stronger.  I intend on sharing that experience of packing oneself with heart & soul experiences to carry you through any possibility of alienation.  This Tap Root Actors Academy vehicle will help explore your terrain for the gems in your inheritance…as you become a fuller you to strengthen your art.

- Tantoo Cardinal

A celebrated Indigenous actor, Tantoo Cardinal has a remarkable record on stage, television, and film. She has been widely recognized for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing arts. Throughout her fifty-year career and more than one hundred and twenty roles, she has broken barriers for onscreen representation of Indigenous peoples and has challenged negative stereotypes.

Her most famous film roles include multiple Academy Award winner Dances with Wolves (1990) and Academy Award nominee Legends of the Fall (1994). Most recently, she starred in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon and Three Pines for Amazon Studios.

  • "I had fun making memories with everyone here."

    — Jazz (13)

  • "After I joined this Academy, I've been wanting to act even more than I did before."

    — Adrienne (13)

  • “I think Tap Root was a fun, exciting experience because I got to act, and I like it. I liked meeting all these guys here, it was a fun experience. I like the experience of acting, I might get into it when I'm older. I had fun being on set."

    — Ross (14)

  • "You can act and you can experience it so in the future you can do it again. I liked being on set because you can experience how it is and you learn about all the camera equipment. I made new friends."

    — Eden (11)

  • "During this summer, I learned a lot about being outdoors and Cree language. Also all of the acting things we got to do, it was fun."

    — Ava (12)

  • "I liked the whole Acting school in general and I learned a lot."

    — Gavin (16)

  • "1000% fun. Actually a BILLION percent fun! I love acting and I love playing games here."

    — Amelia (8)

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