VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Taran Kootenhayoo “danced into every room,” according to his sister Cheyanna.
Taran — a 27-year-old Indigenous artist, actor, advocate, poet, and playwright — passed away suddenly on New Year’s Eve.
Donations and tributes are pouring in from Vancouver’s creative community, with a GoFundMe raising tens of thousands of dollars in mere hours in order to “bring him home to Alberta, and lay our beloved Taran to rest.”
Weve just heard of the passing of Taran Kootenhayoo. Taran was an incredibly talented poet, writer, and actor, who we were fortunate enough to work with in 2019 on Redpatch. pic.twitter.com/M0G0DonRQ9
— Arts Club Theatre Company (@theArtsClub) January 1, 2021
Cheyanna says she is grateful for the support, but knowing how loved her brother was and hearing stories about people whose lives he’s touched has made her “even more sad.”
She is remembering her brother as funny and forgiving, and fearless.
“I just want people to remember him as being loving and caring and thoughtful and humble — not being afraid of anything, and just living your dreams. Anything’s possible. He definitely showed that,” she says.
“He was successful. He was doing what he wanted to do, he was doing what he loved — and I watched him do that.”
Taran was Denesuliné and Stoney Nakoda. Born in Cold Lake Alberta, he was a member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. He moved to Vancouver when he was 18 to study acting at Capilano University. He was best known for his role opposite Carmen Aguirre in Bella Ciao! When that film premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in 2018, Taran was named the year’s “Star to watch.” Cheyanna says he recently wrote a play called White Noise which was going to be produced at the Firehall Arts Centre before the pandemic canceled live performances.
In honour of Taran J. Kootenhayoo, and with great respect for the family, and with the approval of Tarans sister Cheyanna J. V. Kootenhayoo, we would like to present the opportunity to view this film that he acted in.
Please use this link. https://t.co/CIqzCUdTri
— Bella Ciao Movie (@BellaCiaoMovie) January 2, 2021
Cheyanna says her bother had a difficult childhood, including time spent in foster care.
“He never dwelled on past life. We suffered a lot, he just didn’t have the best growing up, but he he still managed to just be really great and thankful for what he did have,” she says.
One of the things she admired most about her brother was his empathy.
“He always made sure everyone was okay, everyone was comfortable. He had a way with words, he could sit there and tell you what you need to hear when you’re feeling down,” she says.
“I want people to remember him as a happy, Indigenous man who cared about the world, and the environment and the Murdered and Missing and Indigenous woman and all the issues our people face. He’s an advocate.”
#MeetTheStorytellers “The story of ‘D.I.Y’ is very meaningful to myself and Taran (@StandingSunrise) being Indigenous people living in an urban setting,” says STORYHIVE filmmaker Colin Van Loon. Watch the pitch video from this dream team here! https://t.co/mwpnsCQEnQpic.twitter.com/ie3OnMcepQ
— STORYHIVE (@STORYHIVE) April 25, 2019
He loved skateboarding and spent time teaching kids how to ride at the Strathcona Community Centre. His sister remembers one of his first efforts as an advocate was to get a new skate park built in their home town.
“The old one was worn out and nails were sticking out. He started a petition and went door to door, and eventually they made a new outdoor skate park. He was truly amazing all his life.”
We are saddened by the news that Taran Kootenhayoo, an artist who gifted Citadel audiences with his performance in Redpatch, has passed away. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues and mourn the loss of his creative voice. pic.twitter.com/LhdnDMYJal
— Citadel Theatre YEG (@citadeltheatre) January 2, 2021
The GoFundMe notes that Taran’s influence extended beyond Vancouver.
“Loved by all who knew him, hearts all across Turtle Island are heavy and share in grieving our beautiful brother and friend. There are no words that can equal the amount of loss that will be felt by his absence as we all miss him. We ask that you light a candle or smudge and pray for him on his journey to join the ancestors,” it reads.
Taran was a dynamic young artist, leader and friend. He helped me on a number of projects and was a reliable young person looking to share stories that changed the world. You are loved, Taran. pic.twitter.com/fhblJx5gFj
— Ryan McMahon (@RMComedy) January 2, 2021read more
Vancouver Indigenous actor and playwright Taran Kootenhayoo dies – News 1130
