Kusem
Goodwind

Kusem Goodwind's name means Continual Rising of the Sun — given to him by elders of his community, and treated as a responsibility rather than a slogan. He is Schitsu'umsh and Niimiipuu (Coeur d'Alene and Nez Perce), from the Coeur d'Alene reservation.

An actor and model, Goodwind made his screen debut as Nataanii Jackson in Netflix's "Rez Ball," produced by LeBron James's SpringHill Company and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The open call drew five thousand submissions; there are no basketball doubles in the film. His work since includes the documentary series "People of the West" and the short film "Pretty Hair Camp," now in post-production.

He trains full-time as an actor in a multi-year conservatory program, building classical range alongside the lived experience that carried his first roles. As a model he appears on the SWAIA Native Fashion roster and has walked for designers including Orlando Dugi, focused on campaign work for values-led brands.

He also speaks — to Native youth, college audiences, and the rooms deciding what comes next — on representation and mental health, treating every stage as an exchange rather than an appearance. He keynoted the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference.

Off set, he is a member of a fraternal brotherhood, earned a black belt in karate at ten, and still plays competitive basketball with his friends. He returns home often — to family, to community, and to a stillness he says he can't find anywhere else.