Irene Bedard
Birth Name: Irene Marie Bedard
Place of Birth: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Date of Birth: July 22, 1967
Ethnicity:
*French-Canadian (father)
*Inupiaq Inuit (mother)
Irene Bedard is an American actress. She voiced Pocahontas in the animated film Pocahontas (1995), and played Pocahontas’ mother in the 2005 film The New World.
She is the daughter of Carol and Bruce Bedard. Irene’s mother was born in Koyuk, Alaska, of Inupiaq Inuit descent. Irene’s mother was adopted by her uncle David Otton and his wife Irene. Irene has a son with her former husband, singer Deni Wilson.
Irene’s paternal grandfather was named Joseph Dennis Bedard (the son of Louis Bedard). Joseph was born in St. Edward Frampton, Québec, Canada.
Irene’s paternal grandmother was named Alfreda J. Turcotte (the daughter of Charles Turcotte and Lecarde/Leccadie/Locadie M.). Alfreda was born in Maine, to French-Canadian parents.
Irene’s biological maternal grandfather was Gabriel Okitkon (the son of Okitkon and Sogirok). Gabriel was born in Iglutalik, Alaska. His parents spoke Qawiaraq and Malimiutun, which are Inupiaq dialects.
Irene’s biological maternal grandmother was Elsie Otton (the daughter of Sookiayak/Shokayak “Billy” Otton and Hilma Asicksik). Elsie was born in Koyuk, Alaska. Sookiayak was the son of Okpiuk. Hilma was the daughter of Ik Aye Ley Ik Aye Ley.
Sources: Irene’s paternal grandmother, Alfreda J. Turcotte, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alfreda J. Turcotte on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Irene’s mother – https://www.findagrave.com
Irene’s maternal grandfather, Gabriel Okitkon, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Irene’s maternal grandmother, Elsie (Otton) Okitkon – https://www.familysearch.org
From an ancestry-tree:
Sookiayak was the son of Okpiuk. Hilma was the daughter of Ik Aye Ley Ik Aye Ley.
I don’t support bdwnchs like her.
Inuit —> Inupiaq Inuit
The 1920 census shows Gabriel Okitkon’s parents dialects (Qawiaraq and Malimiutun; don’t include these in the ethnicity) and they’re both Inupiaq dialects.