Dallas Goldtooth (Mdewakanton Dakota/Diné, born May 3, 1983[1]) is a Native American (Sioux) environmental activist and performing artist. He is a co-founding member of the 1491s, a Native American sketch comedy group and a member of the cast of the television series Reservation Dogs. He is a Dakota language-instructor, writer, artist, and actor.

Dallas Goldtooth
Goldtooth (right) at the StopETP Day of Action in Dallas in 2017
Born (1983-05-03) May 3, 1983 (age 41)
NationalityIsanti Dakota
Occupation(s)comedian, writer, environmental activist, Dakota language–instructor
Known forReservation Dogs

Personal life

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Dallas Goldtooth was born on May 3, 1983.[1] He is Dakota, Dine, Hochunk and German. He is an enrolled member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community and a descendant of the Navajo people.[1] His father is Tom B.K. Goldtooth (Diné).[2] His mother is Hope Ann Two Hearts, nee Neis. His stepfather was Galen Drapeau Sr., Ihanktonwan Dakota, a medicine man and Vietnam veteran.

Dallas grew up on the Yankton Sioux and Lower Sioux Indian Reservations, and spent summers in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis.

His older step-brother is Migizi Pensoneau.[3]

Activism and organizing

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Goldtooth was the Keep It In the Ground campaign organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network, an environmental justice organization led by his father. With IEN, Goldtooth led campaigns against the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access Pipeline. He was a water protector during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock Indian Reservation.[2]

Writing and acting

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Goldtooth was a writer for seasons 2 and 3 of Reservation Dogs.

Goldtooth's acting credits include Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, Ghosts, Hailey's On It!,[4][5][6][7] and Fallout.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Inventing the Indian Co-host Documentary
2019 Drunk History John Trudell Episode: "National Parks"
2021–2023 Reservation Dogs William "Spirit" Knifeman Recurring character; also writer
2022 Rutherford Falls Nelson 6 episodes
Ghosts Bob Episode: "The Tree"
2023–2024 Hailey's On It! Chuck Banks, Additional Voices (voice) 4 episodes
2024 Echo Shikoba / Emcee Episode: "Lowak"
Spirit Rangers Toofus Episode: "Summer's in Charge/Barracuda Brouhaha"
Fallout Charles Whiteknife Episode: "The Trap" "The Radio"
Rez Ball Henry Tso
TBA The Last Frontier Hutch Upcoming series

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Indigenous Visualities". Denver Art Museum. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Dallas Goldtooth". Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. July 5, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Murg, Wilhelm (September 2, 2012). "On the Cutting Edge of Native Comedy With the 1491s". Indian Country Today. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Starr, Michael (August 3, 2021). "Oklahoma teens California dreaming in 'Reservation Dogs'". New York Post. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "An environmental activist who uses comedy to help stop oil pipelines". Los Angeles Times. September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "Dallas Goldtooth". The Guardian. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "Hailey's On It! - Splatter of the Band - Exclusive Clip". Disney Television Animation News. June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023. Hailey's Uncles are voiced by Dallas Goldtooth, Amir Talai, John Eric Bentley, and Ken Tatafu.
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