Clarkson appoints screen and TV actor to Order of Canada

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Actor Gordon Tootoosis of Poundmaker Cree Nation is one of 74 new appointments to the Order of Canada recently announced by Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.

The Order of Canada recognizes people who have made a difference to the country. All Canadians are eligible for award-it is our country's highest honour for lifetime achievement. There are three different levels of membership-member, officer and companion-that honour people whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope.

The new appointees include two companions, 17 officers, 54 members and one honorary companion, all of whom will receive their insignia at a later date.

Tootoosis, who is currently recovering from the quadruple bypass surgery he underwent on Feb. 3, said being named as a member of the Order of Canada was the highest honour and that he was very humbled.

Tootoosis is a descendant of the great Plains Cree leader Poundmaker and has been a band chief as well as member of the executive of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. He is an accomplished powwow dancer and toured Europe and South America during the 1960s and '70s.

He made his film debut in 1972 in Alien Thunder, but is probably best known as the character Albert Golo in the television series North of 60.

Tootoosis has appeared in more than 40 films and television shows, playing the wise and the noble, the cunning and the wicked. He was Almighty Voice in Alien Thunder, One Stab in Legends of the Fall and Big Bear in a recent mini-series by the same name. Currently he is providing his voice talents to Wapass Bay, an animated story being produced in Saskatoon scheduled for release in the spring. He is also booked to complete an animated feature for Sony Pictures in Los Angeles called Open Season.

Tootoosis is playing another role this year-that of one of the honourary chairpeople for the 2005 Canada Games. The city of Regina and surrounding communities will host the 2005 Canada Summer Games from Aug. 6 to 20.

Tootoosis is the third member of his family to be appointed to the Order of Canada. His late father, John B. Tootoosis, was appointed as a member in 1986, while his late sister, Jean Goodwill, was appointed as an officer in 1991.