Erroll Kinistino

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

Erroll Kinistino
Born	1951 or 1952 (age 72–73) Whitewood, Saskatchewan, Canada
Alma mater	Saskatchewan Indian Federated College
Occupations	Actor director musician public speaker
Spouse	Josie

Early life and background

Born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan in 1951 or 1952,^[a] Kinistino is a member of the Ochapowace First 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, Saskatchewan, and his father, Laurence often listened to evangelical programming such as Oral Roberts or Billy Graham.^[3] Kinistino is one of nine siblings.^[4]

A survivor 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, Saskatchewan.^[1][6] He briefly attended the University of Western Ontario to study radio broadcasting and journalism^[3] before beginning his acting career, working in theatres in Orillia, Ontario, Regina, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba.^[1] In 1988, he graduated from the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College's Indian Communication Arts (INCA) program.^[7]

Career

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] He is also a singer-songwriter and plays the guitar, drums, and harmonica.^[8] In 2025, he was honoured with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Achievement Award.^[8]

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

In 2024, he performed as a member Erroll Kinistino and the Dog River Band, along with his wife Josie (from the White Bear First Nation) and Greg Campeau (from Muskowekwan First Nation).^[11]

On June 20, 2025, Kinistino was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.^[12]

Notes

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]