Don't Like Obama or Romney?

Native Vote: Thomas for President!
an Interview with Evan Adams

Monica Whitepigeon in Entertainment. Discussion »

CHICAGO – Evan Adams, Coast Salish, won over a generation of American Indians with the character he played as Thomas Builds-the-Fire in the 1998 film, Smoke Signals, that was written by Sherman Alexie and directed by Chris Eyre. In the film, Thomas Builds-the-Fire was a storyteller with a contagious wide smile who was always prodding Victor, the character played by Adam Beach.

Many remember the hilarious song, John Wayne's Teeth, in Smoke Signals song by Thomas Builds-the-Fire and Victor as they travel by bus to retrieve the belongings of Victor's deceased father.

This past Sunday, the Native News Network saw a post Native Vote's Facebook wall that read: Thomas for President – a mock-up political button with a picture of the Thomas Builds-the-Fire.

We posted it on our Facebook wall and have had over 600 Likes as the result. It is quite obvious Thomas Builds-the-Fire's popularity in Indian country is still burning.

We decided to catch up with him to find out what he is doing now and an interview. He is a medical doctor, who was appointed the first-ever Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor for British Columbia.

Additionally, he is working on a new film that is due to be released next year called 4U.

Enjoy the interview!

Interview with Evan Adams – AKA Thomas Builds-the-Fire

Have you ever considered a political career?

A political career? No! I'm not that sensitive to the public! I understand about 'service' - I try to do my part - but politics looks very people-pleasing and I don't think serving the masses in that way would be my cup of tea!

Tell us what you are up to these days.

I've started filming on a film out of Quebec called 4U. I'm playing a dad to a teen-aged daughter who's in jail. But mostly I'm doctoring - in public health - in the province of British Columbia.

Tell everyone (especially yourself) that what you think and feel is tremendously important, and cast your vote with aplomb!
– – Evan Adams - Coast Salish

So are you still involved in film or theatre?

I am involved in TV & film somewhat. I have a show in development in Canada called ARTFUL LIVING, which is an Aboriginal health show that I host. And, as I mentioned before, I'm partway through this Canadian film…

Do you miss being more involved it?

I do miss TV and film, but I had fun when that's all I did. But, you know, worrying about my lines, and having big hair and make-up isn't the only thing in the world!

Seriously, you live in Canada. Were you born in the United States or Canada? It is a qualifier for the top USA office.

I was born in Canada. But Thomas was born in the US, so if movie characters can be President, Thomas Builds-the-Fire was born in the right country!

If you could vote, who would you vote for in the United States? Obama or Romney - why?

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posted September 7, 2012 4:50 pm edt