Beyond Politics
Tom Jackson
Philanthropist, singer and actor Tom Jackson grew up on the One Arrow Reserve, near Batoche, Saskatchewan, about 90 minutes from Saskatoon. At the age of 15, Tom dropped out of school and lived on the streets of Winnipeg for years before being noticed by a social worker at the local friendship centre who encouraged Jackson to start thinking about his future. Before long Jackson was working in radio at the local CBC. Jackson's big break came when he was approached to take the role of Eddy in the CBC movie Loyalties. Subsequently he played the role of Billy Twofeathers on the PBS series "Shining Time Station", but it was his role as Peter Kenedi in the CBC series "North of 60" that made him a household name. Jackson picked up 3 Gemini Awards over the 6 seasons the series aired. Jackson spends a great deal of his time working with charities and fundraising for all kinds of initiatives homelessness, poverty; youth suicide etc. Jackson's Huron Carole Tour is now in its 23rd year. Catherine Clark spoke to Tom Jackson in Ottawa.
