BIG CYPRESS — Actor and writer Dallas Goldtooth (Dakota, Navajo) attended the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s American Indigenous Arts Celebration, but he didn’t stay on the sidelines during the event. He walked in the grand entry, modeled Seminole clothing in the Ahfachkee School fashion show and held court in the Stage 360 tent as he met with and posed for selfies with attendees Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 on the Big Cypress Reservation.

Goldtooth previously attended the AIAC in 2019 as a member of the comedy group the “1491s” when it performed in the main stage tent. His career has included TV shows including “Rez Ball,” “Seeds,” “Echo,” “Reservation Dogs,” and “Rutherford Falls.”

He is currently writing and acting in a feature film set in the 1890s at the Chicago World’s Fair. He recently finished filming a TV show called “Last Frontier,” which is his first non-comedic role.

“I like telling stories,” Goldtooth said. “It’s a powerful tool to bring tremendous change. It’s a tremendous gift to travel around Indian Country and share stories.”

Goldtooth is also a vocal supporter of Indigenous issues, including climate change and standing against oil development in the Everglades.

“One of the biggest issues is that people don’t think we are still around,” he said. “The Seminole Tribe is a good advocate for that. Events like this are essential to educate the next generation of Floridians about who are the original inhabitants of the state.”