Tom Jackson

Thomas Dale Jackson, (born 27 October 1948) is a Canadian actor and singer. He created and starred in an annual series of Christmas concerts called the Huron Carole for 18 years. He was the Chancellor of Trent University from 2009 until 2013. He played Billy Twofeathers on Shining Time Station and Peter Kenidi on North of 60.

Life and career Tom Jackson was born on the One Arrow Reserve, Saskatchewan, near Batoche, the son of Rose, a Cree, and Marshall, an Englishman. He moved with his family to Namao, Alberta at age seven, and then to Winnipeg, Manitoba when he was fourteen. A year later, he dropped out of high school and lived on the streets for several years.

As an actor, he has appeared in television shows such as North of 60 and Shining Time Station where his character Billy Twofeathers debuted in its Halloween episode "Scare Dares". Jackson also made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation in the season seven episode "Journey's End". His films include Loyalties and The Diviners.

He also starred in Grizzly Falls in 1999 and appeared in the 2007 horror thriller Skinwalkers. In 2014, he appeared in The Dependables, as Sergeant Robinson. In 2019, he played White Bull, a Ute drug lord, alongside Liam Neeson in the film Cold Pursuit. He appeared in the 2023 series Sullivan's Crossing.

He has also released several albums of country and folk music.

Personal life Jackson now resides in Port Hope, Ontario with his family.

Philanthropy A well-known philanthropist, Jackson created an annual series of Christmas concerts called the Huron Carole. Featuring Jackson and numerous other Canadian singers and performers, the Huron Carole troupe travels across the country each year, raising money for the Canadian Association of Food Banks. An album of Christmas songs recorded to tie-in with the tour is an annual best seller in Canada. After 17 years, Jackson retired the Huron Carole and in its place launched Singing for Supper, a cross-Canada tour that plays smaller community venues raising money and gifts of food, during the 2005 Christmas season.

After North of 60 cast member Mervin Good Eagle died by suicide in October 1996, Tom started the Dreamcatcher Tour.

In the spring of 1997 Jackson's home town was bracing for "the flood of the century" that had already put towns south of the US/Canada border under water. Jackson was instrumental in organizing flood relief concerts across the nation (Calgary, Winnipeg).

Honours and decorations Jackson has been honoured several times for his life's work. Most notably, in 2000, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and is a former member of the Order of Canada Advisory Council. He has been nominated for Juno Awards and Gemini Awards. He has also received honours from several Canadian universities, including honorary degrees from the University of Calgary, Trent University, the University of Lethbridge and Carleton University. He also received the Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Juno Awards due to his charitable efforts. In May 2014, Jackson received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award (GGPAA) for his lifetime contributions to Canadian broadcasting. At the Gala honouring GGPAA recipients on 10 May, Jackson took to the National Arts Centre stage to perform one of his songs.

On 14 April 2009, Jackson was announced as the tenth chancellor for Trent University. Jackson held this position until 2013.

Canadian medals, orders, and decorations Ribbon Bar Year bestowed Order of Canada (CC) frameless Officer 2000 Companion 2020 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal frameless 1992 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal frameless 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal frameless 2012 Saskatchewan Centennial Medal frameless 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal frameless 2005

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1985 Spirit Bay Will TV series (1 Episode) 1986 Loyalties Eddy Nominated–Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 1988 Martha, Ruth and Edie Street Legal Geordie Roberts TV series (1 Episode) 1989–1990 The Campbells Five Claws TV series (2 Episodes) 1991–1995 Shining Time Station William "Billy" Twofeathers Main role; TV Series 1991 Clearcut Tom Starblanket 1992–1997 North of 60 Peter Kenidi Main role; TV SeriesNominated–Gemini Award for Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1995, 1996, 1998) 1993 Spirit Rider Albert St. Clair TV movie Medicine River Harlen Bigbear TV movie The Diviners Jules TV movieNominated–Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series 1994 Street Legal David Cormier TV series (2 Episodes) Star Trek: The Next Generation Lakanta TV series (1 Episode) 1995 Great Canadian Ghost Stories Host 500 Nations voice TV Miniseries 1996 The Adventures of Shirley Holmes Mac TV series (1 Episode) 1999 Grizzly Falls Joshua McTavish 2000 Trial by Fire Peter Kenidi TV movie The Longhouse Tales Hector Longhouse Main Role; TV Series 2001 Dream Storm Peter Kenidi TV movie 2002 Tom Stone Ray Swiftwater TV series (1 Episode) Relic Hunter Bobby Green TV series (1 Episode) 2005 Mee-Shee: The Water Giant Custer Distant Drumming: A North of 60 Mystery Peter Kenidi TV movie 2006 Skinwalkers Will Law & Order: Criminal Intent Chief Johnson TV series (1 Episode) 2007 Little Mosque on the Prairie Professor Crakle TV series (1 Episode) 2011 Befriend and Betray Guy Poirier TV movie 2012 Deadfall Old Native American Hunter 2014 The Dependables Sgt. Robinson The Best Laid Plans George TV series (2 Episodes) 2018 Cardinal Lloyd Kreeger TV series (4 Episodes) 2019 Cold Pursuit White Bull 2019; 2022 OutlanderTehwahsehkwe TV series (3 Episodes) 2021 Supergirl Warden Wyatt Kote TV series (1 episode) 2023 Sullivan's Crossing Frank Cranebear Series regular

Discography

Albums Year Album 1990 Sally Ann Love, Lust and Longing 1994 No Regrets 1997 Home This Christmas That Side of the Window 2001 I Will Bring You Near 2006 Singing for Supper on Tour 2011 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime 2015 Ballads Not Bullets 2018 The Essential

Singles Year Single CAN Country Album 1993 "No Regrets" 43 No Regrets 1995 "Few and Far Between" 47 "Humble Me" 1997 "Dance with the Devil" That Side of the Window 1998 "Before the Owl Calls My Name" "That Side of the Window" 2002 "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" I Will Bring You Near 2011 "The Gift" 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime 2015 "Blue Water" Ballads Not Bullets