Oscar-nominated actor broke down stereotypes and blazed a trail for Indigenous performers

Remembered by colleagues and friends as generous, humble, mischievous and a great cook, Graham Greene was, above all, a versatile actor whose career spanned half a century and broke down racial stereotypes of Indigenous people as violent aggressors or victims.

Probably best known for his role as Kicking Bird, a Sioux tribal leader in Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic film Dances with Wolves, Mr. Greene was a trailblazer in presenting Indigenous characters with human complexity and depth.