Lorne Cardinal of Corner Gas fame stopped by Nipissing University to talk with Aboriginal youth about the profit of higher education.

The dropout rates for young First Nations people are staggering and in an effort to help engage students in post secondary learning Nipissing University has started an Aboriginal youth outreach project named Aiming Higher.

The program focuses on helping Aboriginal high school students get a glimpse at university life and explore career options at the same time. The event focused on successful First Nations individuals who have a university background sharing their stories in order for the students to start thinking about their own post-secondary education journey and opportunities.

Lorne Cardinal perhaps best known for his role as Davis Quinton on the monster hit Canadian television series Corner Gas felt it was important that he come to Nipissing to share his story with the students because it is important that they understand success can be realized but only if they apply themselves.

“Just to help kids, especially young native kids, to let them know that there are opportunities out there and there are so many different opportunities and instil in them that there is no short cut to success,” he says of his visit.

“This isn’t Canada Idol where you’ll get picked out and be a star instantly there’s none of that, it’s hard work involved and there’s no way around it,” he says of working in the entertainment field.

“If you want to last in any profession that you choose you have to do the work you have to study, you have to become well rounded and once you do that it will pay itself off in no time. You just have to have the faith and keep going, keep the work up, and believe in yourself and what you want and it’s attainable. I’m from Sucker Creek, Alberta if I can do it then I think anyone can do it.”

But he also warns there are dry periods in the profession, but with and education and determination a person can always find work to fill the gaps. He says the key is to always read and to always be open to learning.

“Absolutely there is no short cut and reading is the best way because it helps you learn different perspectives of things.”

“I mean instead of hearing what the newspaper and television tell you there are other ways of learning of getting a different perspective and that’s by reading. You could read online and see who’s offering their opinion or personal experience about something you may never get to experience, but you can get a sense of what it means,” he explains.

“There is this book out about a boy soldier and he writes about his experience in Africa being drafted by these rebels and he was killing people by 8 (years old) luckily he got out by the time he was 12 but he was so scarred because he had to kill people and hopefully no one will get to go through that but to read his book you understand the idea of where he is coming from … and it’s still going on today. That’s just one example on the profit of reading.”

He repeatedly emphasised the fact that the field doesn’t offer instant stars using his own career as an example stating that his was a long and rewarding one well before Corner Gas came along that included roles in North of 60, Crazy Horse, Jake and the Kid, Tecumseh: The Last Warrior, Lonesome Dove: The Series. He told the students that when he can’t get an acting gig he will do just about anything else just to be working on the set or stage.

“I’m a lifer in this business and that’s what I realised that one way or another I’m going to be involved in this industry, either producing or directing which is starting to happen for me now and of course acting.”

“I’ll always act on the stage; I try to get back to the stage as much as I can because it is so different from TV. It is much more fulfilling for me because in theatre you get to rehearse a character for two and a half weeks and stretch them and pull them and see what they do and then you get to tell the story from point A to point B to point C … in film and in TV you could be shooting the end of the movie first before you have done anything else.”

“It’s a game of attrition I just keep plugging away and luckily I will keep getting work and I’ll keep directing and I’m going to start making my own films because there are a few stories in my head that I want to tell that acknowledging our past.”

Cardinal told the students the entertainment industry has many diverse careers from behind the scenes to in front of the camera/on stage opportunities as well as producing, directing, writing, being a grip, an electrician, a carpenter, or a seamstress/wardrobe.

“If you want to be in this industry find what you are most passionate about and that will carry you that will drive you to get growing better and better. I am passionate about acting and directing and that’s what’s carrying me through because this is what I do ... I can’t even load a pallet,” he laughs.

“I’m not much use for anything else except in the theatre, film and TV business cause that is what I love and I just encourage people whatever don’t take it as a job be passionate about it. Whatever you do make sure it’s the thing that drives you every morning cause that way when you go to work it’s fun and it’s not dreading the ‘oh my God I’ve got to go do this’ ... if you don’t love it don’t do it.”

For the future of his industry Cardinal says he looks forward to a day when colour and ethnicity play no part in an actor getting a role.

“It just has to take a leap of faith,” he says of the industry.

“I did a multi racial version of Romeo and Juliet, we had a Japanese Lady Capulet, we had a Jewish Romeo, a Black Benvolio and myself playing Friar Laurence and this was in Saskatchewan in ’95 – ’96 and the audience is ready for it.”

“I think people underestimate the audience ... we were well received even by the toughest critics which are high school students. They came to see our show and as we were going for lunch they all slammed their windows down on the bus and they popped their heads out and yelling and screaming and cheering for us and saying that we were better than Romeo and Juliet the (DiCaprio) movie, so everyone is ready for it and accept it and it should be just the best actor for the role.”

Cardinal was joined by Jennifer Podemski an award winning actress and creative producer; Waneek Horn-Miller, Canadian Olympic water polo athlete; Derek Chum, president of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto; DerRic Starlight, master puppeteer and comedian; Leemai Lafontaine, songwriter, producer, artist and Tae Kwon Do black belt; and Don Burnstick, comedian, playwright.

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