Darla Contois (Wasakahaw Mikisu Iskwew) is an Indigenous (Cree-Saulteaux) writer and actress from Misipawistik Cree Nation, Grand Rapids, Manitoba, Canada.[1] She stars as Esther Rosenblum / Bezhig Little Bird in the Canadian drama television series Little Bird, which premiered on Crave and APTN lumi on May 26, 2023.[2]
Contois graduated from the Centre for Indigenous Theatre’s professional training program in 2014 and attended David Smukler's National Voice Intensive. Her solo show White Man’s Indian premiered at Summerworks 2017 in Toronto where she was awarded the Emerging Artist Award. Her most recent work, The War Being Waged, was produced by Winnipeg's Prairie Theatre Exchange as part of their 2021–22 season.[3]
The War Being Waged was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for English-language drama at the 2023 Governor General's Awards.[4] In 2024 she won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Leading Performance in a Drama Series at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards, for the television series Little Bird.[5]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Dhaliwal '15 | Nina | TV series |
| 2018 | Eros | Aniibishan | Short movie |
| 2023 | Little Bird | Esther / Bezhig | TV series |
| 2023 | Frank Gets the Job Done | Sheryl | Short movie |
| 2024 | Many Wounds | Crystal | Post-production |
References
edit- ^ Ian Graham, "‘We don’t really get as much as the southern part of the province:’ Liberal candidate Darla Contois". Thompson Citizen, August 29, 2019.
- ^ Debra Yeo, "They woke up with four kids. By the end of the day, they had one. Inside the devastating new ‘Sixties Scoop’ drama ‘Little Bird’". Toronto Star, May 25, 2023.
- ^ Isabella Soares, "The war being waged within: PTE production explores intergenerational Indigenous experiences". The Uniter, November 4, 2021.
- ^ "Suzette Mayr, Iain Reid among finalists for $25K Governor General's Literary Awards". CBC Books, October 25, 2023.
- ^ Etan Vlessing, "‘BlackBerry,’ ‘Little Bird’ Dominate Canadian Screen Awards". The Hollywood Reporter, May 31, 2024.
External links
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