Born on November 11, 1972, in Ashern, Manitoba, he is a Canadian actor of Saulteaux descent. Raised on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve, he overcame early personal challenges to pursue acting. He gained recognition with roles in films like "Smoke Signals" and "Windtalkers." His portrayal of Ira Hayes in "Flags of Our Fathers" and appearances in TV series such as "Law & Order: SVU" further established his career. Known for advocating Indigenous representation, he continues to be an influential figure in cinema.