Background
A Métis, Jackson was born to Rose, a Cree, and Marshall, an Englishman, on the One Arrow Reserve, Saskatchewan near Batoche.
A Métis, Jackson was born to Rose, a Cree, and Marshall, an Englishman, on the One Arrow Reserve, Saskatchewan near Batoche.
He was the Chancellor of Trent University from 2009 until 2013. He moved with his family to Namao, Alberta at age seven. They moved again to Winnipeg when he was fourteen.
A year later, he dropped out of high school and lived on the streets for several years.
As an actor he has starred in television shows such as North of 60 and Shining Time Station where his character Billy Twofeathers debuted in its Halloween episode Scare Dares, and made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation in the season seven episode Journey"s End. His films include The Diviners.
He also starred in Grizzly Falls, in 1999. His film career remains active with his appearance in the 2007 horror thriller, Skinwalkers.
He is set to appear in acclaimed director Sidney J. Furie"s next feature, Pride of Lions, as Sergeant Robinson.
He has also released several albums of country and folk music A well-known philanthropist, Jackson created an annual series of Christmas concerts called the Huron Carole. Featuring Jackson and numerous other Canadian singers and performers, the Huron Carole troupe travels across the country each year, raising money for the Canadian Association of Food Banks.
An album of Christmas songs recorded to tie-in with the tour is an annual best seller in Canada.
After 17 years, Jackson retired the Huron Carole and in its place launched Singing for Supper, a cross-Canada tour that plays smaller community venues raising money and gifts of food, during the 2005 Christmas season. After "North of 60" cast member Mervin Good Eagle committed suicide in October 1996, Tom started the Dreamcatcher Tour.
In the spring of 1997 Jackson"s home town was bracing for "the flood of the century" that had already put towns south of the United States/Canada border under water. Jackson was instrumental in organizing flood relief concerts across the nation (Calgary, Winnipeg).