Cardinal obtained a B.F.A. degree in acting from the University of Alberta in 1993, becoming the first Aboriginal student ever to do so.
Cardinal is working on a documentary film titled The Making of King Lear (working title) with producers Jeff Dorn and Monique Hurteau for an anticipated 2014 release. The Making of King Lear is about the National Arts Centre theatre production of King Lear, with an all-Aboriginal cast which included August Schellenberg as Lear, Billy Merasty, Jani Lauzon, Tantoo Cardinal, Kevin Loring, and Craig Lauzon, with Cardinal doing double-duty as both assistant Director and the role of Duke of Albany.
