The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada is delighted to announce Canadian actress Tantoo Cardinal will receive the 2025 Equity in Entertainment Award at this year’s second annual event on May 29, 2025, in Toronto.

The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada’s Equity in Entertainment Award was created to recognize those Canadians who exemplify success and work to promote the voices and stories of underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry.

The Award’s namesake was created in 2016 by The Hollywood Reporter as part of its Women in Entertainment gala in Los Angeles, with past honorees including Selena Gomez, Kerry Washington, Issa Rae, and Amy Pascal.  The inaugural Canadian Award was presented to Deepa Mehta in 2024.

Tantoo Cardinal is a celebrated actress who over a 50-year career has performed in many significant films and television series including Dances with Wolves, Killers of the Flower Moon, Legends of the Fall, Black Robe, Hold the Dark. Lead or recurring roles in series Longmire, Echo, Stumptown, Three Pines, Godless, Blackstone, Moccasin Flats and North of 60 to name just a few. Cardinal has received many prestigious awards for her extensive body of work, including the Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement, she was Inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, and received the Governor Generals Award for Artistic Achievement.

Of Cree and Métis heritage, Cardinal was made a member of the Order of Canada “for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing arts in Canada, as a screen and stage actress, and as a founding member of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company”.

An inspiring leader in the growth of Indigenous performing arts in Canada, she is a tireless mentor and started a Film School in Northen Alberta for Indigenous youth. Cardinal is also a passionate environmental activist.

Congratulations to Tantoo Cardinal who will be on site to receive the Equity in Entertainment Award, proudly presented in partnership with the Indigenous Screen Office, at The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada Gala on May 29.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this ground-breaking Canadian event taking place on May 29 at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto. Tickets are now available at the early bird ate for a limited time.

To purchase a ticket or for more information please visit our website at: www.womeninentertainment.ca. More program and schedule updates coming soon!

Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].