Apesanahkwat is a native American tribal leader and a film and television actor. Apesanahkwat served as tribal chairman of the Menominee Indian Reservation eight times. He served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Vietnam War veteran. He is known for such films and television series as Northern Exposure in the role of Lester Haynes, Stolen Women, Captured Hearts in the role of Bloody Knife, Bagdad Cafe, and Babylon 5.