Joel D. Montgrand, a proud Rocky Cree individual affiliated with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN),hails from the Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories in Northern Saskatchewan. As a young adult, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, traversing the globe and taking on various occupations before eventually finding his true calling in the world of acting in 2013.
Despite having no prior film experience, a lack of headshots, and an absence of a professional resume, Montgrand's determination and charisma convinced his agent to take a chance on him. His impressive start to his acting career saw him booking four out of his first five auditions, a testament to his natural talent and passion for the craft.
Today, Montgrand is recognized for his notable roles in HBO's "True Detective: Night Country" as Eddie Qavvik and in the live-action series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" on Netflix, where he portrayed the character of Hakoda. Moreover, he is the creator and host of "Actors and Ancestors", a podcast that celebrates Indigenous actors and provides a platform for their stories and experiences to be shared.
Montgrand's dedication to uplifting and amplifying Indigenous voices in the entertainment industry is evident through his work on "Actors and Ancestors", which serves as a powerful tool for promoting representation and diversity in the arts.
