Teneil Whiskeyjack - [ windspeaker confidential ]

Page 19 Teneil Whiskeyjack grew up in Saddle Lake, Alta. and was just 10 when she took up the craft of acting. She has appeared in a number of productions, including Why the Rabbit Turns White and The Legend of the Spirit Bear, part of the Stories from the Seventh Fire animated series. She also appeared in the television miniseries Dreamkeeper, earning an award for Outstanding New Performance in a Film or TV Movie/Special from the First Americans in the Arts. Her latest role is that of Sarah Fox in Hank Williams First Nation-the Series, which premieres on APTN Nov. 18. Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend? Teneil Whiskeyjack: First and foremost I mostly value honesty. W: What is it that really makes you mad? T.W.: I would have to say hypocritical people. And people who are impatient. W: When are you at your happiest? T.W.: I'm at my happiest when I am doing what I love, which is acting, and when I'm with my friends and my close family. W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst? T.W.: I would have to say critical thinker, so I would be able to think out rational decisions rather than irrational decisions. W: What one person do you most admire and why? T.W.: I'm definitely going to have to say my mom. And the reason why is because she is one of the most strong, independent women I know. And she never gives up no matter how bad it is. No matter how bad the situation is. She never gives up and it always turns out good. W: What is the most difficult thing you've ever had to do? T.W.: I would probably have to say saying goodbye to people in the past, saying goodbye to some of my best friends. W: What is your greatest accomplishment? T.W.: I would have to say graduating from high school in two-and-a-half years. W: What one goal remains out of reach? T.W.: One goal? I would have to say becoming an accomplished actress in the mainstream ... And one of the other ones is I want to have a degree in business management. W: If you couldn't do what you're doing today, what would you be doing? T.W.: I would probably work in the entertainment industry either way, but I would want to own a business, or be striving today to own a business. W: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? T.W.: I would have to say to stay grounded. To stay grounded and surround yourself with good people because they reflect who you are. W: Did you take it? T.W.: Yes. W: How do you hope to be remembered? T.W.: I do want to be remembered. I hope to be remembered for my unique sense of self and I hope to be remembered for being spontaneous and the fact that I was just exuberant towards everybody.