Chaske Spencer

Actor and activist Chaske Spencer was born of the Lakota Sioux tribe, and raised on Indian Reservations in Montana and Idaho. He is most recognized for his role as Sam Uley, leader of the Wolf Pack, in Summit Entertainments TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON and ECLIPSE. With experience both on stage and screen, Chaske's credibility as a quality actor stands strong. However, his passions lie beyond the stage. Chaske takes a stand within the Native American community to empower the people, reduce poverty and create sustainable communities. At the podium, Chaske speaks about his role as spokesperson for UNITED GLOBAL SHIFT, a nonprofit organization that works with Native Americans (www.unitedglobalshift.org), on his personal project BE THE SHIFT to give power back to the people (www.betheshift.tv), and his own personal struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

When Chaske was young, he dreamt of becoming a photographer, and before long he found himself in front of the camera instead, in pursuit of an acting career. Moving from the Indian Reservations of Montana and Idaho, Chaske moved to New York City and was cast in a number of New York Theatre and off-Broadway productions. Moving into film, he has been seen in films such as SKINS, DREAMKEEPER and Steven Spielberg's INTO THE WEST. His role as Sam Uley in the TWILIGHT SAGA series has brought him international attention. Chaske continues to act and can be seen in upcoming films SHOUTING SECRETS with Qoriaka Kilcher and WINTER IN THE BLOOD with ECLIPSE co-star Julia Jones. His production company URBAN DREAM has several films in development, some developed as contemporary Native projects. Chaske can provide an insiders look to the making of one of the most popular film franchises of all time: TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON and ECLIPSE.

The road to film wasn't an easy one. As a teenager, Chaske had an addiction to alcohol, which led to an addiction to cocaine and heroin. After a time in a Washington rehab that specialized in treating Native Americans, Chaske chose a new path. He told People magazine in July 2010 I started smoking it, then snorting it. Three months in, I was doing it every day. Id never memorize my lines; I couldn't function to audition. My work ethic went out the door. He goes on to explain about his time in rehab, It was appealing to me because I came from the same experiences and I could relate to a lot [of the other people seeking treatment].They had us make a list of how much you'd spent on drugs. I'd blow $2 million. After a year of sobriety, he landed the role as Sam Uley in TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON and turned his attention toward giving back to his community through work with United Global Shift.

Chaske is a spokesperson for United Global Shift, an organization with a mission: We are causing a united global shift in what is possible for humanity, focusing on the environment, employment, entrepreneurship, health and education. A shift from survival and scarcity to possibility, partnership and peace. Chaske's work as a spokesperson gives him the opportunity to impact many areas he is committed to shifting: poverty, sustainable communities, and global empowerment.

Through his personal project Be The Shift, he is shining a spotlight on initiatives designed to create sustainability and prosperity. Be The Shifts mission is threefold: to create awareness of current issues and conditions facing Native American communities; to create alternatives that promote dignity, justice, unity, and accountability; and to take action that supports the creation of these alternatives. Spencer says What were trying to do is give a voice to people who usually don't have a voice, and not depend on outside sources like governments and corporations when we can do it ourselves. Chaske has enlisted his TWILIGHT SAGA co-stars to develop a PSA to raise awareness and support for South Dakotas Lakota Sioux tribe victims of natural disaster. The PSA urged individuals to shift the power to the people and help to empower everyone to create sustainable, lasting change in their communities and countries. In addition, Chaske and his partner non-profit United Global Shift are launching a year- long campaign empowering people to Be the Shift that they wish to see in their own communities.