Erroll Kinistino

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Erroll Kinistino
Born1951 or 1952 (age 73–74)
Whitewood, Saskatchewan, Canada
Alma materSaskatchewan Indian Federated College
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • musician
  • public speaker
SpouseJosie

Erroll Kinistino (born 1951 or 1952) is a Canadian First Nations (Saulteaux) stage, radio, television and film actor, director, musician and public speaker.

Early life and background

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Born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, in 1951 or 1952,[a] Kinistino is a member of the Ochapowace Nation. He was first exposed to media as a child listening to the radio while growing up in Ochpowace, tuning into stations such as CKCK and CJME where he listened to sports and popular music like the the Beatles and Elvis Presley.[3] The family lived in a two-room, mud shack cabin without electricity.[3] His mother, Rosalie, attended a bible college in Moose Jaw, and his father, Laurence, often listened to evangelical programming led by Oral Roberts and Billy Graham.[3] Kinistino is one of nine siblings.[4]

A pupil of the Canadian Indian residential school system, Kinistino attended Gordon's Indian Residential School in Punnichy[5] and later graduated from Grenfell Consolidated High School in Grenfell.[1][6] He briefly attended the University of Western Ontario to study radio broadcasting and journalism[3] before beginning his acting career at theatres in Orillia, Regina and Winnipeg.[1] In 1988, he graduated from the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College's Indian Communication Arts (INCA) program.[7]

Career

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In 1992, he was cast to portray Leon Deela in the CBC Television drama series North of 60.[6] He is also known for his portrayal of Phil Kinistino, a bartender on Corner Gas.[8]

Kinistino presents theatre workshops in Canadian First Nation communities and speaks on topics such as HIV/AIDS awareness, leadership, and suicide prevention, incorporating theatrical skits into his talks.[2] He was active as a cultural festival organizer, master of ceremonies, and elder at cultural ceremonies.[8][9][10]

A singer-songwriter and musician, he plays the guitar, drums, and harmonica.[8] In 2024, he performed as a member of Erroll Kinistino and the Dog River Band, along with his wife Josie (from the White Bear First Nations) and Greg Campeau (from Muskowekwan First Nation).[11]

In 2025, he was honoured with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Achievement Award[8] and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.[12]

Filmography

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Movies

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Year Title
1999 Revenge of the Land
2000 Trial by Fire
2008 Out in the Cold
2010 This Time Last Winter
2013 2 ½ Scenes and the Other
2014 Corner Gas: The Movie
2016 The Land of Rock and Gold
2023 Honouring the Buffalo

Television shows

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Year(s) Title Episodes
1992–1997 North of 60 55
1998 Big Bear 1
2003 Moccasin Flats 1
2006–2009 Corner Gas 9

Notes

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  1. ^ On December 3, 1992, Kinistino was reported to be 40 years old,[1] and on October 23, 2000, Kinistino was reported to be 48 years old.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Rude, Heather (December 3, 1992). "Eyes will be glued to TV". Regina Leader-Post. p. C10. Retrieved September 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  2. ^ a b Young, Gord (October 23, 2000). "Inspiration's face forgotten, but his words remain". The North Bay Nugget. p. A3. Retrieved September 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  3. ^ a b c d University of Regina, Canadian Plains Research Center (2004). Saskatchewan First Nations: Lives Past and Present. University of Regina Press. ISBN 9780889771611 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Laurence James Thomas Kinistino obituary". The Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  5. ^ Reech, Daniel (June 7, 2021). "Actor Erroll Kinistino says residential school survivor crisis line was helpful, recommends it for others". CBC News. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Erroll Kinistino". SK Arts. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  7. ^ "What does SIFC mean to you?". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. January 25, 1992. Retrieved September 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  8. ^ a b c d "The Saskatchewan Music Award Winners The Saskatchewan Music Award Winners". SaskMusic. March 3, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Pauls, Carmen (September 13, 1997). "Cultural festival helps keep memory alive". The Regina Leader-Post. p. A16. Retrieved September 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  10. ^ Hall, Angela (February 8, 2005). "Aboriginal story time in Regina". The Regina Leader-Post. p. B2. Retrieved September 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  11. ^ "Celebrating with Erroll and Friends". Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "Erroll Kinistino". gg.ca. Governor General of Canada. 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
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