Conference Speaker


Nathaniel Arcand
“You get out of life what you put into it.”

Nathaniel Arcand’s career began 17 years ago when he accompanied a close friend to a photo shoot. Darryl Mork, owner of the Edmonton-based company Darryl Mork Talent Agency, approached him afterwards asked Nathaniel if he had any experience in film or television. Nathaniel was very intrigued by this question, as this was something that he always wanted to do since he was 5 years old. After having a short discussion with Darryl, he gathered some cash together to pay for a portfolio of headshots, and agreed to become one of Darryl’s clients. His big break came (after starring in a few smaller roles for local independent filmmakers) when he auditioned for the role of William MacNeil in the hit CBC TV series “North of 60”. The rest, as they say, is history…

““North of 60” opened a lot of doors for me, and I consider myself to be very fortunate in that I was given the opportunity to show my potential as an actor.” And indeed, so. This role was a huge stepping-stone for him, and as a result, landed him guest appearances in other such popular television shows as “Due South”, “Incredible Story Studio”, “Caitlin’s Way”, “Shoebox Zoo”, and “Smallville”.

Over the next five years, Nathaniel watched his television career soar, and found himself co-starring with the likes of Luke Perry and Malcolm Jamal-Warner (“Jeremiah”), as well as veteran actor Nicholas Campbell (“DaVinci’s City Hall”, “DaVinci's Inquest”). He even had the chance to work with his son Griffin Powell-Arcand in Hallmark Entertainment’s 2-part TV mini-series, “Dreamkeeper”. One of his most memorable roles was the role of Tonto in the television movie “The Lone Ranger” (he is, to this date, the youngest actor to play the notable role!).

Aside from his first major film role as Ned White Bear in the 1999 film “Grey Owl”, his other notable film credits include “Elektra”, “Black Cloud”, “Ginger SnapsBack”, “American Outlaws” and 20th Century Fox’s “Pathfinder”.

Nathaniel has won many awards during his career, and remains very humble about his talents. Among winning the award for Best Supporting Actor in Shirley Cheechoo’s film “Johnny Tootall”, which was screened at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco in November 2005, he was the recipient of the Performing Arts Award at the Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta awards ceremony held here in Edmonton in November 2006.

In addition to CBC’s mini-series “Northern Town”, Nathaniel also starred in the APTN Pilot “Clean Fight” as the lead role of Trevor, a kickboxer (who just happens to be native) struggling with diabetes, and his determination to defeat this disease. Other TV appearances include the Nora Roberts’ movie of the week “Montana Sky” (Lifetime Network), Showcase’s “Moose TV” (as Clifford) and most recently as Scott Cardinal in CBC’s newest TV series “Heartland”, which begins production this May for Season 2...so stay tuned!

One of his favourite quotes that he loves to share with others, especially with the youth, is: “I am the power to begin. I am willing to risk the loss of what I have been and grow to what I can become.”

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