Catching up with Griffin Powell-Arcand (Disney, Indian Boy) Exclusive Interview!

 

1. Hi Griffin! Thanks for taking the time to let us catch up with you and your career. How are things going for you these days?

Things are going great, Thank you!

Lennon: And school? :)

School is awesome. I am in grade 5 this year. I play soccer with my friends every morning, and at lunch. I just joined the peer support team, which means that I am available to help the younger kids with any problems they might have in the playground, or in general. I go to a great school!

2. Your mother told me you are going to be in a new series this fall called Mixed Blessings. What could you tell me about this show and your role on it?

The show is called Mixed Blessings. It is a TV series/Sitcom about a Cree woman Josie, played by Tina Lameman, who is a single mother of 3 children, and a Ukrainian Man Hank, played by Gary Basaraba (Charlottes Web) who is a widowed father of 2 that meet and fall in love. They marry, and combine their families. I play Donnie, the youngest son of Josie. The show is a comedy, but will also deal with issues that every family will relate to.

3. Thanks for sharing that information with me about your new show. Where could fans watch Mixed Blessings?

Mixed Blessings begins airing on November 6th on APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) Go to www.aptn.ca for info on the station. Hopefully it will be picked up by another station as well, I’ll let you know!

4. Since filming ended on Little House, have you heard or kept in touch with any of the Little House cast and crew?

I haven’t seen very many of the actors, because quite a few were from the USA, but I do see many of the cast from Canada. Actually, Allen Belcourt plays my brother on Mixed Blessings!

5. After watching yourself as the young Indian boy would you change anything about your performance or maybe would like to change something about the show?

I wouldn’t change anything! I was really happy because I won an award for that performance J the only thing I would change about the show, is that it would be a series! Haha

6. When I interviewed you in early 2005 you were seven years old and in second grade. Do you feel as an actor, you have grown more? Do you have the same hobbies? If I can recall, you loved to go swimming, playing your X-box and watching Star Wars.

I have become much more confident, because I have filmed 2 TV series since Little House. I have learned so much, especially on Mixed Blessings, I really learned a lot filming this year! My hobbies include snowboarding, soccer, basketball, drawing, playing Halo 3 on my new X-box 360, and going to the park with my friends.

7. Also, when I last interviewed you haven't had the chance to watch the original Little House series. Have you had a chance to watch it? If so, what did you think about it after being on the Disney series?

I’ve watched it with my Mom once or twice; it seems like a good show!

8. What advice could you give to other kids your age about getting a job in entertainment?

Get your pictures taken, find an agent, take an acting class, and most of all practice in the mirror!

9. Many fans have written to me mentioning you had members of your family who also worked on the Disney Little House. Is this true?

Actually, yes it is true. My Dad, Nathaniel Arcand, was on the show for like…. 2 seconds. He was on set with my Mom and I, just watching, and they asked him if he wanted to be in the show. I always tease my Dad about that, because I got him a job that day….haha

Another cool thing about Mixed Blessings is that the lady who plays my Mom (Tina Lameman) is actually my Auntie in real life!

10. Thanks very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions. Please keep in touch so we can promote your projects! Do you have anything you would like to say to all the "Little House" fans around the world?

I want to say thank you for being so supportive! If anyone would like to email me, they can do so at griffinpowellarcand@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from them :)

Thank you!
Griffin

You are very welcome and I will indeed pass your e-mail address to all the Little House fans.

Photo above: Recent photo with Griffin and his family, Allen Belcourt/Mick, Emma Ashbaugh/Bobbi, Tina Lameman/Josie, and Wilma Pelley/Grandma.

Webmasters Note: Interview was done on October 2, 2007
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