Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The art of cinema and television play an extraordinary role in our lives in this current day and age, just as it did in previous generations. Just as with everything in life, the part it plays is varied amongst everyone, but it still plays a role in all of our lives. Film and television create fantastic worlds in which we can feel a sense of belonging that some may not feel in their own world, and it allows us the ability to jump into them to go on an adventure of a lifetime at any point in time. Whether it's fighting alongside the Rebellion against the Empire in a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars, or attempting to survive the Walkers with Rick and his group in the Walking Dead, film imparts in us a sense of excitement, adventure, and wonder. Furthermore, film and television can unite people of many different backgrounds as it's a language of its own. It allows us to join in on conversations with friends, or even complete strangers, about that new summer blockbuster or TV episode, allowing you to meet new people and strengthen old friendships. Lastly, it reminds us to feel...and to remember, to remember life and all its wondrous possibilities. So while things from films and television like laser swords and zombies don't exist yet, they remind us that with work, imagination, and a little inspiration that the things and technology from cinema and our imagination can exist, it's just up to us to make them a reality.

In creating these astonishing visual feats there are many wonderfully talented individuals whose hard work and dedication have made these possible for us to enjoy. I had the pleasure of speaking with one of these wonderfully talented individuals this past week, when I spoke to Kaniehtiio Horn, a beautiful and talented Mohawk actress from our neighboring community Kahnawake. Kaniehtiio is a gifted actress, writer, and director who has 40 credits to her name. Kaniehtiio is currently starring in the hit show Hemlock Grove as Destiny Rumancek where she gets to play a witch. She has also appeared on Syfy's Defiance as one of the Irathient Spirit Riders, Rynn. Another television credit under her belt is Bravo's crime drama 19-2 where she played Sasha Renner. Kaniehtiio has also appeared in the hit television show Supernatural as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in season 4. Apart from starring in numerous hit television series she has appeared on the big screen alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars. She played a high priestess in the 2011 action film Immortals about ancient Greece alongside Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, and Luke Evans, which I highly recommend. She appeared in 2008's adventure movie, Journey to Center of the Earth, alongside Josh Hutcherson, Brendan Fraser, and Seth Meyers. You could also catch her in 2011's thriller Good Neighbors with the likes of Jay Baruchel and Scott Speedman and 2012's On The Road with Amy Adams, Elisabeth Moss, and Kirsten Dunst. A few other credits include Embrace of the Vampire, the Wild Hunt, Penthouse North, and Mohawk Girls. She also tried out voice acting in the video game Assassin's Creed 3 where she voiced the main character's Mohawk mother named after herself. She has also written and directed the short film the Smoke Shack in which she also stars in this very funny short film that can be found on her YouTube page, and I recommend checking it out if you haven't seen it yet. Aside from her acting she recently hosted a concert event at the Pan-Am games in Toronto called Strong Women, Strong Voices at the Aboriginal Pavilion.

Kaniehtiio was born in Ottawa and spent her early years in Kanesatake with her mother and sisters, and later moved to Kahnawake after the Oka Crisis. She spent the summers and holidays with her father in Ottawa. Her mom Kahn-Tineta Horn is a well known Mohawk activist and her sister Waneek Horn-Miller is a former Olympic water polo player who represented Canada at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.

I had the opportunity to ask Kaniehtiio some questions to which she so willingly replied. She began by introducing herself, "My name is Kaniehtiio Horn and I'm from Kahnawake. I have been acting for more than ten years professionally starting just after my theatre school graduation. I split my time between Kahnawake, Toronto and when I can Los Angeles."

At what age did you become interested in acting?

"I got into acting when I saw a poster up at school saying auditions were being held for a musical when I was in grade 4, so I signed up, auditioned and ended up doing the plays for grades 4, 5, and 6. But I really got into it when I went to Plattsburgh with my sister and mom and saw Ace Ventura Pet Detective. It was the first time I really understood that acting was a real profession and that it was something I could do for a living if I wanted," she answered.

Was there anyone who inspired you to pursue a career in acting?

"Yeah, Jim Carey, I was obsessed with him when I was like 10. And then any native actors I saw out there I'd try and follow their careers best I could," she replied.

What kind of training did you have? Would you recommend it to others?

"In high school I didn't really do any performing arts except maybe a couple camps at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. I focused on sports all through high school which I really recommend, it gives good discipline, body awareness, and working with a coach is like working with a director. After high school I went into the Professional Theatre Program at Dawson College in Montreal. I believe it was the best thing for me because I wanted to be confident when I eventually went out into the acting world and that I had the tools I needed to survive, I didn't want to just wing it. There is no one path to becoming an actor but I do believe having some knowledge and training in the classics, and various techniques, are a huge asset," she explained.

Have you traveled far away to work with your film career?

"I think the furthest I have travelled for this I guess is LA. I shot a film in Squamish, British Columbia once though," she said.

In your past roles which character have you enjoyed playing the most?

"I loved playing Rynn in Defiance with all of that make up and the chance to really disappear behind it and get lost. I also loved Destiny in Hemlock Grove because of her compassion and her wry sense of humor and the fact she got to do some cool spells. I had a blast this past June playing a bad a** Rez chick named Tanis in this new comedy coming out soon called Letterkenny," she told.

Are you currently working on any projects?

"Yes, I'm starting on a show called What Would Sal Do for the Superchannel. It's a 30 minute comedy set in Sudbury and I'm stoked because I get to be funny and have fun," she said.

Who would be your dream co-star?

"I always said Gary Oldman, 'cause for obvious reasons, he's rad. But now I think that I'd absolutely love to work with Taika Waititi, the Maori dude," Kaniehtiio replied.

What is your favorite part of being an actress?

"There are many things that make me love this profession. I love meeting new interesting people. When I was younger and in theatre school a lot of my friends from water polo were traveling the world and I was so jealous but I kept telling myself once I'm done this, my career will take me to places I would never imagine. I love getting a new script and being introduced to a totally new subject and having to do my own research on it and submerge myself. I also love dressing up... and dressing down looking super ugly like I did in this short where I played a serial killer called Vision Stains. I like figuring out why people do the things that they do, the psychology behind acting really interests me. The buzz you get through between 'acting' and the 'cut' is indescribable," she explained.

Have you faced any struggles along the way?

"Oh man, ten years of doing this if I hadn't faced any struggles along the way then I would feel something was wrong. Every career has its ups and downs, you have to learn how to have small victories even when you are being rejected daily. If a casting director loved your audition you may not get it based on your height or something trivial like that not necessarily your talent. It can also be a sort of lonely profession as no one really gets what you are going through unless they are in the business but even then, every person's career has its own unique path. I've had financial struggles, depression, super highs, super lows, only once did I say to myself 'maybe this is it, maybe I'm done'... but then two days later I got booked on Supernatural. So that kinda shut me up. There was a point when I thought to myself, well I've been doing this for this long there isn't really any turning back because I'm not really good at anything else haha," she shared.

Would you like to write and direct more films in the future?

"I would love to but at the moment I am concentrating on getting my career to a stable and comfortable place primarily in the American market. But yes I have a few things in my back pocket, although I'd like to take more courses and maybe acquire a few writing mentors," she indicated.

What qualities should a person possess to enter the film industry?

"Resilience, adaptability, and a sense of adventure," she suggested.

Aside from working as an actress, what do you enjoy doing? Any hobbies?

"Well I like watching tv to be honest haha, I just say its research. I bead earrings in the winter when I'm stuck inside, I also love to swim when I can, I read lots of biographies as well, and try to brush up on the classics best I can. I didn't go to university so I didn't get those extra years of study," she told.

Based on your past experiences, what advice would you offer to young people interested in film?

"Like I said you have to really, really want it, its not easy like writing a test and getting certified. There are ups and downs, you make friends and lose friends, you are away from your family a lot. You have to sacrifice a lot, but it's so worth it," she advised.

I would like to thank Kaniehtiio for taking the time to speak with me and for sharing some of her much appreciated knowledge. She is an extraordinary role model for the Aboriginal community and I look up to her tremendously. I hope that with Kaniehtiio's success in the film industry that many other natives will be inspired and realize that no dream is too big and through hard work and dedication that they to can make a very successful career in any field for themselves.