Gordon Tootoosis died Tuesday (July 5). He was probably most familiar to Canadians in the role of Albert Golo on North of 60. He was also one of those character actors who, when you saw him on the large or small screen, you'd go "I know that guy" and fail to remember his name. His most common roles, of late, was that of the gentle Native American sage such as the grandfather telling the story of the Peacmaker in the Historica minute (http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10120).
 
I have no idea about Tootoosis faith journey. As one of 14 children raised in the Plains Cree tradition, he was taken from his home and placed in a Catholic Residential School where hew was  treated harshly and forbidden to speak his own language. Tootoosis eventually became a social worker and in 1973 appeared in his first acting role.
 
I only knew Tootoosis through his acting roles--but I recognized the excellence he brought to them. His depiction of Albert Golo made the viewer both despise and care for him--the mark of an actor devoted to their craft--a devotion which earned him an Order of Canada in 2005. Tootoosis was praised for being an inspirational role model for Aboriginal Youth, serving as a founding member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company where. Tootoosis offered encouragement, support and training to aspiring Aboriginal actors.
 
This leads to a question for those of us who are both dedicated to our individual artistic crafts and our devotion to God: does it lead to the inspiration of others?
 
Are we so devoted to the artistic expression God has gifted us with that we strive, on a daily basis, to improve that craft? Recently I took part in a continuing workshop on screenwriting at Write! Canada. That led to my purchase of a book on playwriting, which led to the download of a number of plays on my eReader so I can study the masters. And my desire is to improve on the playwriting attempts that I've made in the past. And my aim is to create a new play within the next year using these new skills.
 
And, are we so devoted to God we desire to spend time with Him on a daily basis? I've always struggled with consistency in my devotional and prayer life. But I've come across some tools recently (including Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals) which are helping with that consistency. And, through this consistency, my experience has become deeper and richer.
 
Our desire, in our art and our life, should be to glorify God. And that, in turn, should inspire others. Make it so, Lord.