Wikipedia

Apesanahkwat

Apesanahkwat (born January 19, 1949) is a Native American tribal leader, activist, father, and a film and television actor.

Apesanahkwat
Born
Apesanah Apsanahkwat

(1949-01-19) January 19, 1949 (age 75)
Menominee Indian Reservation, Keshena, Wisconsin, United States
Occupation(s)Actor; former tribal Chairman of Menominee tribe (8 terms)
Years active1985–present
SpouseKristine Poafpybitty-Apesanahkwat
Children2

Apesanahkwat served as tribal chairman of the Menominee Indian Reservation eight times. He served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Vietnam War veteran. He is known for playing American Indian roles in such films and television series as Wind River, Northern Exposure, Stolen Women, Captured Hearts, Bagdad Cafe, and Babylon 5. He has competed in various Powwows across the United States as a northern traditional dancer.

Involvement in Native American Politics

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Contribution as Menominee Chairman

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Apesanahkwat has been nominated as the Menominee Nation’s chairman a total of eight times. On one of these occasions, Apesanahkwat was reelected after serving in prison for six months, for an alleged drug problem. As chairman, Apesanahkwat has actively spoken several times about injustices Indian tribes face. One of these times being in 1989, during a rally at Lac du Flambeau where he protested against racism towards indigenous groups. As chairman, Apesanahkwat has also presented the Menominee tribe at a congress level, such as the "Indian Tribal Conflict Resolution, Tort Claims and Risk Management Act of 1998."

Activism

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On March of 2004, Apesanahkwat was the official key note speaker at the Language and Culture Preservation Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico which was hosted by the Bureau of Indian Affair's Office of Indian Education Programs (OIEP). This event was meant to spread awareness of the importance of preserving Indian culture though language. Being the keynote speaker, Apesanahkwat called to action his community, stating the importance of giving back the Indian people their voice. Apesanahkwat is also known to be one of the originators of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act(GRA).

Military History

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Vietnam War

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Apesanhkwat was twenty years old when he entered the Vietnam War. After the war ended, Apesanahkwat suffered from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). After his traumatic experiences at war, he reconnected with his indigenous roots as a form of healing. When discussing his thoughts on war, Apesanahkwat says he believes that no man should have to experience it. Since Vietnam, he has been an active voice for his community as a supporter for PTSD awareness.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1987 Bagdad Cafe Sheriff Arnie
1994 Sioux City Clifford Rainfeather
2001 Lady in the Box Felix
2004 The Reawakening Henry Johnson / Dark Spirit Being
2005 The Rain Makers Joe Crying Eagle
2010 Nightbeasts Louis Freebird as Apesanahquat
2017 Wind River Dan Crowheart

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 Tall Tales & Legends Interpreter Episode: "Annie Oakley"
1993 Harts of the West Andrew Episode: "Auggie's End"
1993-1995 Northern Exposure Lester Haines Recurring role; 5 episodes
1994 Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice Six Eyes Television film
1994-1995 Walker, Texas Ranger Raymond Firewalker Guest role; 3 episodes
1995 Babylon 5 Telepath #1 Episode: "A Race Through Dark Places"
1995 Siringo Chinonero Television film
1995 CBS Schoolbreak Special Elder Episode: "My Indian Summer"
1996 Goode Behavior Chief Steve Davis Episode: "Goode Samaritan"
1997 Stolen Women: Captured Hearts Bloody Knife Television film
1997 North of 60 Senator Jack Harper Episode: "Love Hurts"
2002 Skinwalkers Captain Butler Television film
2004 Helter Skelter Guard Duty Cop Television film
2015 Longmire Cheyenne Man Episode: "Down by the River"
2016 Ray Donovan Wovoka Guest role; 2 episodes

References

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