Michael Spears (born December 28, 1977) is an Indigenous American actor. He is a member of the Kul Wičaša Lakota from the Lower Brulé Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

Michael Spears was born in Chamberlain, South Dakota near the Lower Brulé Indian Reservation to Sičangu Lakota parents and lived there until he was in fifth grade.^[1] After that, his family moved to Pierre, South Dakota.^[2] Later, his family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1995.^[3]

He has six siblings. His younger brother, Eddie, is also an actor with film and television credits.^[4]

Spears is an accomplished hand drum player and singer, often performing at powwows and other venues. He was the opening act for Rita Coolidge at her 2005 concert in Great Falls, Montana. Spears often travels to deliver speeches on inspirational and educational topics, including sustainable energy and mental health, and mentors Indigenous youth in Montana and South Dakota.

He worked with his late father, Patrick Spears, and his brother Eddie on ICOUP's (Intertribal Council on Utility Policy) Native Energy and Native Wind^[12] whose goal was to encourage creation of sustainable energy sources. Formed in 1994, ICOUP provided a forum for utility issues discussion from regulatory and economic perspectives.^[13]

Spears can speak some Lakota, which he first learned from his father and grandfather, and is continuing to learn. On the set of Dances with Wolves, Spears received Lakota language instruction from renowned Lakota language instructors Doris and Frank Leader Charge.^[14] During the filming of Into the West, he and the other actors had lessons from linguist Charlie White Buffalo.^[15]

Traditional Lakota ways and ceremonies are a priority for Spears, as he often takes part in spiritual and cultural events across the country. Spears has also engaged in activism for the Indigenous community, making appearances at environmental and MMIW, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, demonstrations^[16] and voicing his concerns about the misappropriation of Native culture through sports iconography.^[17]

• Young Artist Awards: Nominated in 1993 for Best Young Actor Under Ten in a Television Movie as Adam in The Broken Cord ^[18]
• American Indian Film Festival and Awards: Nominated in 2011 for Best Actor as Broken Wing in Yellow Rock
• Awarded Bronze Wrangler Award at the Western Heritage Awards in 2012 for Lead Actor as Broken Wing in Yellow Rock
• American Indian Film Festival and Awards: Nominated in 2013 for Best Supporting Actor as Bud "One Bull" Ward in The Activist