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.

Early life and background Born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, in 1951 or 1952, (On December 3, 1992, Kinistino was reported to be 40 years old, The family lived in a two-room, mud shack cabin without electricity.)

A pupil of the Canadian Indian residential school system, Kinistino attended Gordon's Indian Residential School in Punnichy and later graduated from Grenfell Consolidated High School in Grenfell.

Career In 1992, he was cast to portray Leon Deela in the CBC Television drama series North of 60. He is also known for his portrayal of Phil Kinistino, a bartender on Corner Gas.

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

A singer-songwriter and musician, he plays the guitar, drums, and harmonica.

In 2025, he was honoured with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Achievement Award

Filmography

Movies Year Title 1999 Revenge of the Land 2000 Trial by Fire 2008 Out in the Cold 2010 This Time Last Winter 2013 2 ½ Scenes and the Other 2014 Corner Gas: The Movie 2016 The Land of Rock and Gold 2023 Honouring the Buffalo

Television shows