Q: So your next big break was....?
S: In 1989, Kevin Costner and TIG Productions came along. They were casting Dances with Wolves. At that time The American Indian Registry (AIRPA) was operating which by the way was started by the late Will Sampson. Anyway, TIG made contact with AIRPA which started the ball rolling to cast Indians. Me and several others became "escort group" for Rodney Grant and Graham Greene. Which meant we went wherever Rodney and Graham went, hunting buffalo, council meetings and we were there escorting those two.
Q: Buffalo hunt?
S: For me it was probably the scariest, but the most enjoyable thing I've ever done in my life! (laughs) But the thing about it was, my horse was just a real green horse, it wasn't broke real well. It just had one speed which was full! Most of the time I spent trying to slow him down enough to load my bow with an arrow. After which I don't even know what direction it went. (laughs) Then I was on the ground. It's too bad we don't have bloopers video on it.
Q: Did Dances open some doors for you?
S: Yeah more ways than one and also it brought awareness of the Indian people throughout the United States and also Canada. It also brought an curiosity from other races. It brought more interest. But, only in period pieces, not so much contemporary. In 1993, I got what I consider one of my bigger breaks as Chato in Geronimo: An American Legend with Gene Hackman, Robert Duval and of course Wes Studi who was Geronimo. As a result, I learned to become a lot more focused as an actor. I also had a lot of on-camera time which gave me little more recognition in casting.
Q: Weren't you also in the academy award nominee Fargo?
S: Yeah, Fargo was definitely not your stereotype Indian role. I got to use some of my knowledge from Haskell [Indian college], my auto mechanic skills. (laughs) So, that education didn't totally get thrown out the window.
Q: What you recommend to aspiring actors?
S: The bottom line is persistence. If you want something bad enough, you're going to have to be persistent. You have to really go for it. That's what a person has to do. Especially in film and movie business. Of course, you have to work at your craft and be as professional as possible. Work hard at it. This is the foremost tool along with taking acting classes. And of course, never let anyone tell you that you can't do it. If they do, never believe it. And if you do believe it, then you will never do nothing. It isn't an easy industry to break into, and then once you're in, you're not ever guaranteed anything.
Q: Is there anything in hindsight that you could have did differently?
S: You know, becoming a little more educated about the industry. The acting side of it, anyway. I think the thing that would improve me as an actor, even now, as well as in the past, is acting classes!
Q: What are your current projects?
S: (laughs) There's nothing! I've gone out on a couple of auditions. We better leave that one alone (laughs). I've been dedicating my time to being a parent. My focus is more on the home and less on the industry. It's a little harder to be into the industry and having small children. My priority is to be a family.
Q: What are some of the things that make your day as a father?
S: Just spending time with them. Reading to them. Making sure that I lead them and be there for them, with them, in their young lives. Encouraging them, getting them prepared for the things that will be happening in their life, giving them love! I like to watch them grow, they're always excited for my wife Macile and I to watch them. My boys like to build jumps and bike ramps. All three of them are are always saying, "Watch me do this! Watch me do that! I try not to travel as much, I'm really trying to give my life to my kids, especially when they are young.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
S: I like to play Chinese Checkers, I also like to get on the computer
and figure out different software. I like to learn. I like to play basketball
when my knees allow me to play. I like running when my stomach isn't too
full. I also like to play the guitar whenever I get the chance, it relaxes
me. I enjoy it! 