--- name: "Tantoo Cardinal" canonical: "https://film.one/person/tantoo-cardinal" fi1m_id: "tantoo-cardinal" imdb_id: "nm0001987" tmdb_id: 7863 wikidata_id: "Q187545" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 July 1950" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-23T20:58:15.028530+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Tantoo Cardinal ## Identity Tantoo Cardinal - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tantoo-cardinal - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** tantoo-cardinal - **IMDb ID:** nm0001987 - **TMDB ID:** 7863 - **Wikidata ID:** Q187545 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantoo_Cardinal, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187545, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001987/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7863 Actor. Born 20 July 1950 in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 July 1950, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada - **Active:** 1990–present - **Also known as:** Tantoo Martin, Tantoo Martin-Cardinal, تانتو کاردینال, Tantoo Caroline Rose Cardinal - **Frequently works with:** [Graham Greene](https://film.one/person/graham-greene-6804.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (1), 2010s 72 (4), 2020s 86 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Adventure 2, Western 2, Action & Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $628m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantoo_Cardinal, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187545, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001987/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7863 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*Wind River*](https://film.one/film/wind-river.md) (76), [*Godless*](https://film.one/tv/godless.md) (74) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Killers of the Flower Moon*](https://film.one/film/killers-of-the-flower-moon.md) (86) - **AMC+:** [*Dances with Wolves*](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md) (80) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Tantoo Cardinal > Tantoo Cardinal can tell us how little a character trusts the people around her without needing a speech. We value her restraint, but the repeated casting as a quietly formidable elder asks too little of her. In *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023), Tantoo Cardinal watches the white men and gives us little reason to trust them. As Lizzie Q, mother to Lily Gladstone's Mollie, she makes her suspicion clear without fuss. We felt uneasy at the distrust in her face as she watched those men. Gladstone carries Martin Scorsese's film, but Cardinal gives Mollie's mother a judgement of her own. Early parts often left her supplying background detail in colonial stories. Her breakthrough came with the lead in *Loyalties* (1986), and international recognition followed with Black Shawl in *Dances with Wolves* (1990). Kevin Costner's Western gave Indigenous actors substantial, subtitled speaking roles. We recommend the film for its patience and warmth, while finding its picture of Sioux life too reassuring. More supporting work followed in *Legends of the Fall* (1994) and *Smoke Signals* (1998), the latter written, directed and led by Indigenous talent. Cardinal's practice of creating backstories and philosophies for limited parts helps explain why we notice her even when a film gives her little space. We admire the effort, but there is a limit to how often an actor should have to repair an underwritten role. Casting her as an elder with quiet strength and cultural knowledge may draw on her skills, but repeating that assignment narrows what she gets to do. A later lead in *Falls Around Her* (2018) matters because substantial parts have been scarce across a long career. She had already led *Loyalties* decades earlier; asking her to carry a film was hardly an untested proposition. We would welcome more parts that did not depend on her being the wisest person present. Start with *Killers of the Flower Moon*, if its length suits the evening, and watch Cardinal as closely as the men she is watching. ## Biography Tantoo Cardinal is a Canadian actress of Cree and Métis heritage. She was born Tantoo Rose Marie Cardinal on 20 July 1950 in Anzac, Alberta. Cardinal began her career in the 1970s and has appeared in numerous films and television series. Her credits include *Dances with Wolves* (1990) as Black Shawl, *Legends of the Fall* (1994), *Wind River* (2017), and *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023) as Lizzie Q. Television roles include appearances in *Westworld*, *Outlander* and *See*. In 2009 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to Aboriginal performing arts in Canada. She received the Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement in 2017 and was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2023. She is a founding member of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Wildwood* (2026), Fi1m 85, as Iphigenia (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/wildwood.md) - *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023), Fi1m 86, as Lizzie Q — [page](https://film.one/film/killers-of-the-flower-moon.md) - *Godless* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Iyovi — [page](https://film.one/tv/godless.md) - *Wind River* (2017), Fi1m 76, as Alice Crowheart — [page](https://film.one/film/wind-river.md) - *Penny Dreadful* (2014), Fi1m 76, as Old Native American Woman — [page](https://film.one/tv/penny-dreadful.md) - *The Killing* (2011), Fi1m 62, as Hooker — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-killing-2011.md) - *Dances with Wolves* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Black Shawl — [page](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md) ## Complete filmography (120) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Wildwood* (2026), as Iphigenia (voice) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/wildwood.md) - *The American Revolution* (2025), series, as (voice) - *Inkwo for When the Starving Return* (2024), as Auntie (voice) - *An Ode for Leviticus* (2024), as Luna - *Echo* (2024), series, as Chula Battiest - *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023), as Lizzie Q — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/killers-of-the-flower-moon.md) - *The American Buffalo* (2023), series, as (voice) - *Three Pines* (2022), series, as Bea Mayer - *The Last Manhunt* (2022), as Ticup - *Wendell & Wild* (2022), as Ms. Hunter (voice) - *ONI: Thunder God's Tale* (2022), series, as Principal (voice) - *Spirit Rangers* (2022), series, as Moon (voice) - *The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib* (2022), series, as Marie Chalifoux (voice) - *Back Home Again* (2021), as Mrs. Grey Horns (voice) - *The Corruption of Divine Providence* (2020), as Juniper Fairweather - *Sisters Rising* (2020), Executive Producer - *See* (2019), series, as The Dreamer - *Red Snow* (2019), as Grandmother Ruth - *Stumptown* (2019), series, as Sue Lynn Blackbird - *The Grizzlies* (2019), as Janace - *Through Black Spruce* (2019), as Mary-Lou - *Abandoned: Angelique's Isle* (2018), as Green Thunderbird Woman - *New Amsterdam* (2018), series, as Jane Munsee - *Hold the Dark* (2018), as Illanaq - *Falls Around Her* (2018), as Mary Birchbark - *Corner Gas Animated* (2018), series, as Real Estate Agent (voice) - *The Great Northern Candy Drop* (2017), as Narrator / Louisa (voice) - *Godless* (2017), series, as Iyovi — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/godless.md) - *Wind River* (2017), as Alice Crowheart — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/wind-river.md) - *Cardinal* (2017), series, as Nookomis - *Frontier* (2016), series, as Kamenna - *Westworld* (2016), series, as Ehawee — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md) - *Bull* (2016), series, as Chief Tsosie - *ARQ* (2016), as The Pope - *On the Farm* (2016), as Ada Taylor - *Hope Bridge* (2015), as Lana - *Mohawk Girls* (2014), series, as Zoe’s Mom - *Strange Empire* (2014), series, as Pichette - *Outlander* (2014), series, as Adawehi — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/outlander.md) - *Penny Dreadful* (2014), series, as Old Native American Woman — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/penny-dreadful.md) - *Rez Carz* (2014), as (voice) - *Chasing Shakespeare* (2014), as Older Venus - *Down Here* (2014), as Stella Mitchell - *Maïna* (2013), as Tekahera - *Eden* (2013), as The Nurse - *Longmire* (2012), series, as Marilyn Yarlott — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/longmire.md) - *Arctic Air* (2012), series, as Aunt Mary - *Shouting Secrets* (2011), as June - *The Killing* (2011), series, as Hooker — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-killing-2011.md) - *Blackstone* (2011), series, as Wilma Stoney - *Fathers & Sons* (2010), as Gordon’s Sister - *Shattered* (2010), series, as Carol - *Every Emotion Costs* (2010), as Aunt Marcy - *Changing Climates, Changing Times* (2009), as Grace Lajoie - *Mothers & Daughters* (2008), as Celine - *Dear Prudence* (2008), as Ruth Vigil - *Mom, Dad and Her* (2008), as Heather - *Older Than America* (2008), as Auntie Apple - *The Englishman's Boy* (2008), series, as Little Soldier's Wife - *The Guard* (2008), series, as Ursula - *Luna: Spirit of the Whale* (2007), as Gloria Maquinna - *The Road to Christmas* (2006), as Sioux Woman - *Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis* (2006), series, as Iba Beauvais - *Unnatural & Accidental* (2006), as Aunt Shadie / Rita - *H2O* (2004), as Grand Chief Katie Blackfire - *H2O* (2004), series, as Grand Chief Katie Blackfire - *A Thief Of Time* (2004), as Irene Musket - *Dreamkeeper* (2003), as Old Pawnee Woman - *Dreamkeeper* (2003), series, as Old Pawnee Woman - *Moccasin Flats* (2003), series, as Betty - *How the Fiddle Flows* (2002), as Narrator (voice) - *Edge of Madness* (2002), as Ruth - *Tom Stone* (2002), series, as Judge Crowfoot - *MythQuest* (2001), series, as Walloha - *In the Light of Reverence* (2001), as Narrator (voice) - *Dodson's Journey* (2001), as Waitress - *The Lost Child* (2000), as Aunt Mary - *Canada: A People's History* (2000), series, as Plains Storyteller - *The Hi-Line* (2000), as Singing Bird - *Postmark Paradise* (2000), as Reenie - *Navigating the Heart* (2000), as Mary - *A Stranger in the Kingdom* (1999), as Heaven Fontaine - *Family Law* (1999), series, as Mrs. Grant - *Smoke Signals* (1998), as Arlene Joseph - *Heartwood* (1998), as Violet Boucher - *Big Bear* (1998), as Running Second - *Cold Squad* (1998), series, as Theresa Sandiman - *Honey Moccasin* (1998), as Honey Moccasin - *The Education of Little Tree* (1997), as Nonna - *Grand Avenue* (1996), as Nellie - *Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years* (1995), series, as Gabe LaRoche’s Mother - *Tecumseh: The Last Warrior* (1995), as Turtle Mother - *Nobody's Girls: Five Women of the West* (1995), as Sarah Winnemucca - *Prophecy, Milestones & Challenges* (1995), as Alive - *Legends of the Fall* (1994), as Pet - *Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee* (1994), as Mary's Mother - *Sioux City* (1994), as Dawn Rainfeather - *Silent Tongue* (1994), as Silent Tongue - *Harts of the West* (1993), series, as Helen - *Spirit Rider* (1993), as Marilyn St. Claire - *Where the Rivers Flow North* (1993), as Bangor - *Mustard Bath* (1993), as Sister Amantha - *Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman* (1993), series, as Snow Bird - *North of 60* (1992), series, as Betty Moses - *Black Robe* (1991), as Chomina's Wife - *The Lightning Incident* (1991), as Vivian - *Dances with Wolves* (1990), as Black Shawl — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md) - *Divided Loyalties* (1990), as Molly Brant - *War Party* (1988), as Sonny's Mother - *Candy Mountain* (1988), as Annie - *Loyalties* (1987), as Rosanne Ladouceur - *Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge* (1987), as Little Doe - *Street Legal* (1987), series, as Renee Stonehouse - *The Campbells* (1986), series, as Maria Brant - *Places Not Our Own* (1986), as Rose (as Tantoo Martin-Cardinal) - *Running Brave* (1983), as Caroline - *Death Hunt* (1981), as Indian Woman - *Marie Ann* (1978), as Tantou, Indian princess - *For the Record* (1976), series, Actor - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Aunt Mary ## Gallery - ![Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-d5b24037188b.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah — Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Tantoo_Cardinal_2025_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Tantoo_Cardinal_2025_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-5c8cb2ee7713.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah — Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01_%28cropped_2%29.jpg/1280px-Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01_%28cropped_2%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-6c278d4e5dec.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah — Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Tantoo_Cardinal_%282025%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Tantoo_Cardinal_%282025%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-489c98c347b5.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah — Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01.jpg/1280px-Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-505d51a8cdf2.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-9094eb9a4b4d.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-ea845dd2a022.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB - ![Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-b59d8729c2d0.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah — Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01_%28cropped_3%29.jpg/1280px-Tantoo_Cardinal_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_01_%28cropped_3%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-820d8e4c0cdb.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-815316cb300a.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB - ![Tantoo Cardinal](https://film.one/media/person/15674/gallery-93659ec9a5bf.jpg) Tantoo Cardinal — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 3 won - Governor General's Performing Arts Award 2021: Governor General's Performing Arts Award (won) - Earle Grey Award 2017: Earle Grey Award (won) - Member of the Order of Canada 2009: Member of the Order of Canada (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tantoo-cardinal