Eric Schweig is a Canadian born Inuit actor, who is best renowned for his work in the 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans in which he stars as Chingachgook's son, Uncas. Ava Burnett. That's how it has to be; even Freddy Krueger was the bastard son of 1000 maniacs. They were the two stars so they couldn't take the focus off of them. We haven't put anything on yet but we're planning on it. MP: Have you had any contact with her since filming LOTM? Mohican Press - ALL I've never been, well.. they treated me like royalty. The following interview - apparently from late 1992 - appeared in the pages of Trail Dust magazine. RIGHTS RESERVED - Use of material elsewhere - including text, images, and ES: No. And you know, most of them are but where most of them will do 3 or 4 takes of something, whether it's a close up or an establishing shot he'll take 12 [laughs] . or 13. 10 followers . And it was one of the six. What did you guys feel, or you personally, when you were filming those scenes? a couple of days and then meet the director, I guess. STOREFRONT || What we'd like to start with is for you to paint a picture of who you feel you are for us. Because, since that is their national sport, the Mohawks, and it has been for hundreds of years, they should've focused on that and made a REALLY big deal out of it. MENUS! It's not a monumental, you know, a paradigm change, but it effects them. [Laughs] He was just Nobody gives a There's got to be a lot of women in order for there to be a lot of guys MP: Well, in that regard, most of the film takes place where you wouldn't expect to FIND a lot of women, on the battle front. MP: The diverse cast - a microcosm of the French and Indian War, really - must have made things interesting on the set. Gorgeous Men. MP: He's been real busy.. doing quite well. It was kind of disappointing because it fit right in. It is the quality of the account that relegates a piece as history, not necessarily the race or nationality of the chronicler. In the past, a hundred years ago, we would watch our toddlers, and what they had predisposition for doing. There are some we really WISH we asked. [Laughter]. Mohawks all over the place! Okay, you recently turned your attention to yet another craft; wood carving. So, the more contemporary films we can do and be allowed to be a part of society and society's subconscious, then the better it will be. MP: Cast as the Indian all the time, but you'd prefer to be offered a role because you're a good actor? We, and certainly your fans, appreciate it. People, Indian or otherwise, are not born to hate each other. MP: We've heard about those. Probably the fort scenes. The people at the music store said. when I said "Well, we're almost done here. They promote it. ES: Well .. it was more or less just business to me because nothing's ever historically correct. For those who have missed it, requested it, or just now found it, we place it here again. MUSINGS || E: Yes, it was. I love. ES: Yeah, THE INDIAN. Our intent is not to criticize or alienate, rather to wonder why? They could either. because they'll wind up either dead or in jail. I work with sex trade workers and I try to hook them up with agencies that can help them. MOHICANS MOHICANS We hope this helps you to know him as he is MOHICAN PRESS: We've read many bits and pieces of information, in print and on the Internet, by people who claim they know who you are. But it's good for them because they have so much to offer, these kids, and some of And I have to say that out of all the cast members, I think you gave a fine performance and we wanted to interview you primarily. He's got a real character face. ES: Oh, that took all night. ES: Uhmm. No, it wasn't a sex scene. Senility is a social disease. MP: Then this must be a source of satisfaction for you. to work with them? Do you have a message for these people? I: Well, that explains that! But that's all right. Eric Schweig is a Canadian actor of mixed Inuvialuk, Chippewa-Dene and German heritage. MP: Okay. taken care of and respected and THAT is what makes them, keeps them wise. it's burnt out. and.. of course they're not gonna care and they're gonna forget everything. We have feasts around here and they eat first. I guess it turned out alright. Myself and a bunch of other Canadian actors went out there and played 9-hole golf in the ice. Well, like I said, Red River has received a lot of attention in Europe and people have described it as beautiful. Before that I had no idea what they were doing up there. MP: What did you think of her being there? ES: Let me think about that. But there was some kind of beef with the production company and the North Carolina tourism division. E: Well, they are using real Indians now. And, I play a lot of guitar. It would have been really cool if they had made it a little more sprawling. Did you enjoy being in the midst of all that awesome scenery and wilderness? And they put in all kinds of unnatural fears into kids' minds, or potentially can. An anger at the people who made the film and some of those who were cast in it. How would you compare the role to others you've played? STUDIO: 20th Century Fox. ES: I got along with Russell. He's pretty intense. life cycle. I didn't think it would make this much money! Until Indian people can gain something of a creative role, then the cold hard facts about that, is that you need money. RM F6H5NG - Jan 14, 2002; Hollywood, CA, USA; ERIC SCHWEIG (left) as Rudy Yellow Lodge and GRAHAM GREENE as Mogie Yellow Lodge in the crime drama ''Skins'' directed by Chris Eyre. but you couldn't cradle it as well. We need to come together as a global indigenous community. And if he could magnify that with a damned megaphone, he was happy as hell. SOUNDTRACK || AMAZON.COM/LOTM STOREFRONT. understanding of who Eric is. I started volunteering with Resource Assistance for YouthRaY Inc., and and they hired me to work with them. E: There was a lot of gratuitous violence in the movie and it could have been cut out. He was just a guy. And you take care of yourself Whew! In regards to the entire star system and awards systemI don't care who has won what or who has done this or that or the other thing. shells, especially the quiet ones the really, really inward teenagers. COURIER || SCRIPT || So, while you guys were filming this did you have any sense of bonding? He's the guy that showed us how to That a European version of an event is no less valid than an Indian version? As a former foster child himself, he knows all too well the obstacles that youth can face when growing up in care. [2] it take to coerce you to be there? That would've been really cool if they'd have done that. Things like that, you know, the time of day or whatever, but .. if you mean were we planning to strike up a business or something or go skydiving, or meet each other's family .. it was nothing E: Michael Mann was running around behind everyone in the editing room making them do it shouting, "What are you doing?". on our Book Store page. It's all hard to fathom it goes against our grain. It was fun! We hung out with him a lot. MP: I know you've had experience framing houses. There's these assholes running around kidnapping kids. A lot of elders are sharper than most 16 year olds 20 or 30, they're sharper than people half their age. Hollywood will flog it to death. MP: The vehicle that has placed you before the public eye is, of course, The Last of the Mohicans. But I've got another offer in Russia, in a production called The Wolves, starting at the end of the month. You know, you gotta start somewhere and they're starting small but they're starting. I think we were there till you know, we started at like 6 or 7 in the morning on the first day. I try to say this to kids: It has to do with that fear of success. He's normal. Blackstone Season 2 - "Eric Schweig interviews Andrea Menard" - YouTube For exclusive content visit: www.blackstonetheseries.com For exclusive content visit: www.blackstonetheseries.com. A third manolder, earringed and wearing an indigo shirtappears to be after the two younger men, who pause to scope the object of their pursuit. Everything just soars in it. So what was it like to work with Michael Mann? MP: Granted, we've held this film up to extreme scrutiny, but how do you reconcile this meticulous behavior with some of the flaws, like the blue cap and megaphone at Massacre Valley, that made it into the final cut? I was raised in the country so, you know, I didn't have any it didn't bother me in the least. E: I think they wanted that, but the height did come into it. MP: That was the next question. Have you seen the movie? like boxing in a telephone booth. I don't know. MP: Then they'll be there for future generations? MOHICAN WWW BOARD. Is there anything that you are aware of any possibilities on the horizon that they can look forward to? There was eleven thousand gallons coming through a pump into the pool and then it's sucked back through to create the waterfall. Over near Lake James. E: No, I haven't. LINKS It's really cool to just be watching a film and there's an Indian guy there or an Indian woman, and there's no reference to them being Indian you know .. it puts a more human face on us because people are so scared because of their own AMERICAN HISTORICAL SIMULATIONS They found around 300 copperhead snakes and it took quite awhile to build the thing. If they were good sticks .. it was kind of a bummer .. it would've been a better game. effects - without our expressed, written permission, constitutes copyright Of course then he will do something that is sweet and redeeming. They could stand around and get suntanned. Support Indian Country Today for as little as $10. I now work with homeless people in Winnipeg, Manitobawe feed them and clothe them. Then I thought about it and it's just that his work ethic is different than everybody else's. With the village? You know what I want to do, I want to get a bunch of jackets for them, a bunch of Drama Club jackets and put the name of their band on it. If the movie makes $80 million, they don't care what I say. So, by the time ES: Hmmm . Well, not . not really. Also the music by Daniel Lanois, a French-Canadian composer. But, you don't see you know what you don't see? And it has a real Should a dark Italian be cast as a blue-eyed Swede? They took it to the extreme with Last of the Dog Men, which is ludicrous! Other than that, everybody got along. ES: Yeah, absolutely. Apparently they're shooting in Washington State. Early life [ edit] Schweig was born in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. E: Pretty good, thank you! E: Yes, but I got restless. ES: Actually, about three or four years ago I was sitting around the house with Vern Etzerza and, what's the name of the book? I'm getting a script in a couple of days. That Cooper's "history" was, in many ways, stunningly accurate? I don't cut my hair for nobody!" He was somewhat reticent, probably because of the time lapse, about What was the most trying on you personally? of the interview, we felt comfortable with him, and he with us. Does he realize that all history is written from a viewpoint? They sort of fashioned him after Tony Soprano, I think. with us. We found the one-year teacher retention rate at GDL in 2010-2011 was 79%; Green Dot Locke teachers, overall, were more highly educated than their . They both have the same kind of drive so it was pretty funny. When you do that you really have to commit. PATHFINDING || All of a sudden they just start busting out. Go To The MOHICAN PRESS BOOK SHOPPE, For More Mohican Musings, Use The MOHICAN MUSINGS INDEX. I: Yes, it does. And who they focus on and who they promote is gangster rap. good idea to have one of your masks displayed in the vicinity. I: Was it all shot outdoors or were there any indoor shots, i.e., like the cabin scene? The more the merrier. It's jacked up obviously for television so the story is more interesting. If he is going to have all his hair there, then we should, too!" Probably in a little while. but, I'll get the script in it pure business, more or less? MP: Okay, many people are sincerely anxious to see you in more films. MP: So, I get the impression you didn't like Red River much. Please do not reproduce it, in any form, without our permission. I don't think he plays but he'd like to If you go onto a reservation and you see the dogs and their heads are hanging, that's a bad sign . you know, people don't care about them. Well, it's one of the biggest small towns. I: Some of the scenes, especially in the canoes - was that really you guys? We trained with Colonel David Webster [pause] I think that was his last name. After studying traditional Pacific Coast carvings Eric refined and directed his talent toward the recreation of the traditional masks of his ancestors, the Inuit. Indians.. one of the worst. MP: Uncas. Or WE start making films of our own, which a lot of us has. E: I don't know maybe I was the right height! You're always poor. SCRIPT || Would it be as you just described .. to retake possession of them? E: I think it was a mix. We were in contact in regard to showcasing Eric's Inuit wood carvings here on our Site, not to discuss this or any other interview. Or do you instead allow your own mood, your color preferences .. that sort of thing, to blend with tradition and then the result being a unique So, gradually it will get better and .. we won't be so misunderstood and maligned. I can't remember which scene it was. MENUS! It was shot in Vancouver and I talked to Wes after he finished it. Should you instead be seen simply as an individual who has chosen acting as a profession? "ALL THESE CHARACTERS ARE BASED ON FICTION!". ES: Or even Vern. . You have to sit down and focus. They were troubled kids. But there are so many questions we would like to ask of him! Either your adopted or your natural family? What am I doing working in the movies? Before taking the role, did you have any familiarity with muskets or did you have to train for that? MENUS! MP: Well, a lot of people feel put out! I wish they wouldn't. COURIER || Could you do me a favor? We are much about the same height and the same build and I guess they wanted someone with long hair. When Dances With Wolves came out, the whole thing, it just blew the doors wide open for period pieces about Indian people. I: How did you feel about the battle scenes, especially the scenes when the deposed British troops are leaving the fort and the Hurons are waiting for them? Available - Free Downloads Only! It was like puppy love basically, this love scene they cut out. Your masks are recreations of traditional ceremonial masks of the Inuit. Blackstone Season 1 - "The Ladies Want to Know" 48,230 views Nov 24, 2011 217 Dislike Share Save BlackstoneTheSeries 1.14K subscribers Eric Schweig answers questions about Last of the. They employed 250 carpenters and they smacked it all up. What is it like working with Blackstone's all-star cast? Perhaps much is taken out of context. 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