Nathaniel
Arcand is Plains Cree (Nehiyaw), from the Alexander First Nation Reserve.
He was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The oldest of
six children living with a single parent, Nathaniel had many responsibilities
taking care of his siblings so that his mom could work to put food
on the table. Nathaniel also has great grandparents who have helped
and supported him throughout his life.
Nathaniel
was bitten by the acting bug at age five when he first saw a Bruce
Lee movie at the drive-in. After the movie, young Nathaniel leaned
over to his mother and asked how he could be in the movies "doing
stuff like Bruce Lee." His mom told him she wasn't quite sure,
but if he wanted to be an actor, he should follow his dreams.
Many
years passed before Nathaniel would get his first taste at acting.
He was part of a drama group in junior high school where he and ten
other students put together their own play and performed for their
school. They also took it on the road and performed in a different
city and school altogether. Nathaniel was the only student to play
two different characters in the play, and he was more than happy to
do so.
It
was many years and many lessons in life later that Nathaniel was introduced
to acting again. This time it was something a little different...film
and television. This was what Nathaniel had been dreaming about since
he was but a wee lad. Now here it was!
Nathaniel
was discovered by a man named Darryl Mork. Darryl, a talent agent,
saw something in Nathaniel and decided he would take a chance with
him. Only two weeks later, Nathaniel landed his first gig, also his
first speaking role. Nathaniel was excited not only about the role,
but also about the fact that he only worked one hour and forty-five
minutes and was paid $250. From that experience, he decided that he
would make acting his career.
Although
Nathaniel worked very little in his first two years, he still was
determined to make it in the business of acting.
Nathaniel's
first small break in film was the role of Tree-Climber in a movie
called "Savage Land" starring
Corbin Bernson, Graham Greene and many other notables.
It
wasn't until he landed a role in the television series"North
of 60" playing William MacNeil that his career really
took off. From that point on, Nathaniel's resume has built into something
to envy, working with the likes of Lord Richard Attenborough, Kathy
Bates, Pierce Brosnan and many rising stars.
Nathaniel
hopes one day to become a star like his fellow workers, but not just
any star, an action star. Nathaniel has been training in martial arts
for many years and wishes to use his skills more in the roles he plays.
Nathaniel has noted that the native people of the U.S. and Canada
do not have a native action hero and would love to be their first.
Just like Bruce Lee first did when he brought Asian martial arts to
this side of the world, Nathaniel would like to bring a whole different
flavour of martial arts to the big screen.
Most
recently, Nathaniel had a lead role in a television pilot for "The
Lone Ranger" as Tonto. This makes Nathaniel the youngest
Tonto in history. He brings a new flare to this character by using
his fighting arsenal, martial arts. In the pilot, this Tonto does
not use a gun like Tontos of the past. In its place are a knife, a
tomahawk and two flying feet! Nathaniel adds, "Bruce Lee style."
When
Nathaniel is not training in martial arts, he is being dad. He has
three children: one daughter, Trisha,
and two sons, Jaden
and Griffin. He is very proud
of all of them. Nathaniel's youngest son, Griffin, is following in
his father's footsteps. He landed a speaking role in an upcoming mini-series
called "Dreamkeepers" as the
character Thunderboy.
Nathaniel
attends many youth conferences for native children and teens to talk
about self-esteem and self-empowerment and how to break into the acting
business. Nathaniel strongly believes that the children are our future,
and adults should show them the best paths to follow to make this
world a better place for everyone.
