John Yesno

Obediah (Johnny) Yesno (1938 – March 20, 2010), CM, was a Canadian actor, dancer, broadcaster, journalist, and Indigenous advocate, of Ojibwe Indigenous heritage. His most notable acting role was starring in the Disney film King of the Grizzlies. He also acted on stage, in television, and was a radio broadcaster. He was the host and producer of a CBC Radio program about Indigenous affairs known as "Our Native Land". He later served as a civil servant working on Indigenous issues.

Early life The eldest of 11 children, Yesno was born at Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope) in Ontario. He attended the Pelican residential school just outside of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, beginning at age five. He rebelled at the abuse and ran away from the school at age nine in winter. He was found and returned to the school, but after intervention by his father, was transferred to the Shingwauk school in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. He thrived at the school, was awarded a post-secondary scholarship

Career After graduation, Yesno moved to Toronto in 1960, married and became a father and was employed by an engineering firm, while performing occasionally with a dance group that performed for tourists. By chance, he was spotted by a television producer at a dance group performance and was recruited for the "Wojeck" television series by the CBC's Eva Langbord. He was convinced by friends to audition for the role, who had been entertained by Yesno socially. Although it was his first acting role, On his show, "we raise a few storms of our own on the program", "we expose bad situations when we find them, and also inform Indians what rights they have and what resources are open to them." As well, Yesno was a journalist on the "Take 30" CBC television program. He also demonstrated Ojibwe folk dances at the Royal Ontario Museum at a festival organized by the Mariposa Folk Festival.

In 1975, Yesno acted in Cold Journey, a film about a young boy who runs away from residential school and is found frozen to death, similar to the 1966 real-life story of Charlie Wenjack.

Yesno was awarded the Order of Canada in 1976. Yesno was praised by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, who stated "Yesno blazed a lot of trails for us" and he "educated society at a time when the Lone Ranger and Tonto was on television, about not stereotyping First Nation people.". Take 30 Matt and Jenny (1980) The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog (1980) (tv movie)