Profile Text
01/19/2018 – Bedard – “Spreading Darkness” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals – The Ray Stark Theatre, 900 W. 34th Street – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Photography by Eugene / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Irene Marie Bedard
Place of Birth: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Date of Birth: July 22, 1967
Ethnicity: * father – French-Canadian * mother – Inupiaq Inuit
Irene Bedard is an American actress. Her roles include the films Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale , Pocahontas (1995), Navajo Blues , Smoke Signals , Wildflowers , The New World , Tortilla Heaven , The Tree of Life , Songs My Brothers Taught Me , How to Blow Up a Pipeline , On Sacred Ground , Hey, Viktor! ; and The Last Rodeo ; the made-for-tv movies Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee , Grand Avenue , Crazy Horse (1996), True Women , Two for Texas , The Lost Child , and Love’s Long Journey ; the series Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles , Into the West , The Spectacular Spider-Man , Longmire , The Mist , FBI: Most Wanted , The Stand , Alaska Daily , Avatar: The Last Airbender , The Green Veil , and American Primeval ; and the music video for “Family Feud.”
She is the daughter of Carol and Bruce Bedard. Irene’s mother was born in Koyuk, Alaska, of Inupiaq Inuit descent. Irene’s mother was adopted by her uncle David Otton and his wife Irene. Irene has a son with her former husband, singer Deni Wilson.
Irene’s paternal grandfather was named Joseph Dennis Bedard (the son of Louis Bedard). Joseph was born in St. Edward Frampton, Québec, Canada.
Irene’s paternal grandmother was named Alfreda J. Turcotte (the daughter of Charles Turcotte and Lecarde/Leccadie/Locadie M.). Alfreda was born in Maine, to French-Canadian parents.
Irene’s biological maternal grandfather was Gabriel Okitkon (the son of Okitkon and Sogirok). Gabriel was born in Iglutalik, Alaska. His parents spoke Qawiaraq and Malimiutun, which are Inupiaq dialects.
Irene’s biological maternal grandmother was Elsie Otton (the daughter of Sookiayak/Shokayak “Billy” Otton and Hilma Asicksik). Elsie was born in Koyuk, Alaska. Sookiayak was the son of Okpiuk. Hilma was the daughter of Ik Aye Ley Ik Aye Ley.
Sources: Irene’s paternal grandmother, Alfreda J. Turcotte, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Alfreda J. Turcotte on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Irene’s mother – https://www.findagrave.com
Irene’s maternal grandfather, Gabriel Okitkon, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Irene’s maternal grandmother, Elsie (Otton) Okitkon – https://www.familysearch.org