Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kiawenti Io Tarbell (known professionally as Kiawentiio) |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 2006 |
| Heritage | Mohawk–Kanien’kéha, Wolf Clan |
| Hometown | Akwesasne Mohawk Territory (Kawehno:ke/Cornwall Island), on the Canada–U.S. border |
| Name Meaning | “Nice morning” in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk language) |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer-Songwriter |
| Active Years | 2019–present |
| Education | Akwesasne Freedom School; Cornwall Collegiate |
| Notable Screen Roles | Ka’kwet (Anne with an E, 2019); Beans (2020); Rutherford Falls (2021); Wahta (voice, What If…?, 2023); Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender, 2024) |
| Music | EP: In My Head (2021); Original song: “Light at the End” (Beans closing credits) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @kiawentiio |
Early Life and Cultural Roots
Kiawenti Io Tarbell was raised on Kawehno:ke—Cornwall Island—in the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, a community that straddles borders yet stays rooted in tradition. Her first name, meaning “nice morning,” mirrors the aura she brings to every set: bright, grounded, and full of possibility. She grew up immersed in Mohawk language, customs, and community life, attending the Akwesasne Freedom School and later Cornwall Collegiate. The rhythms of home—ceremonies, language, family gatherings—formed the steady drumbeat of her early years.
Belonging to the Mohawk Wolf Clan, Tarbell carries heritage as a compass. It informs her choices, the roles she gravitates to, and the quiet strength that audiences register on screen. For a young artist born in 2006, she possesses the composure of an old soul, moving between cultural spaces with grace.
Family and Personal Relationships
Kiawenti Io comes from a close-knit family whose work and values intertwine with community life. Their support has been a steady wind at her back as she stepped into the public eye.
| Family Member | Relationship | Year of Birth | Roles and Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Tarbell | Mother | — | Cultural Restoration Director, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe |
| Corey Tarbell | Father | — | Infrastructure specialist in Akwesasne; building inspector; volunteer firefighter |
| Kasennakohe “Kasie” David | Older Sister | 1994 | Resides in Hogansburg, NY with husband Tyler Laffin |
| Rasentonkwa Tarbell | Older Brother | 1998 | Maintains a low public profile |
The Tarbell household blends professional dedication with cultural stewardship. Barbara’s leadership in cultural restoration and Corey’s work in community safety mirror the values that surface in Kiawenti Io’s artistry: responsibility, respect, and resilience.
Breakthrough and Career Timeline
Tarbell’s career unfolded swiftly, driven by talent and intention. She first drew national attention as Ka’kwet in 2019, playing a Mi’kmaq child with luminous conviction. From there, project after project revealed both range and resolve.
| Year | Project | Role | Notes and Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Anne with an E (CBC/Netflix) | Ka’kwet | Cast after reportedly competing against 200+ young actresses |
| 2020 | Beans (Feature Film) | Tekehentahkhwa “Beans” | Vancouver Film Critics Circle: “One to Watch” |
| 2021 | Rutherford Falls (TV) | Supporting role | Expanded comedic and cultural storytelling |
| 2023 | What If…? (Marvel, animated) | Wahta (voice) | Voice acting for a major franchise |
| 2024 | Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) | Katara | Global spotlight role; high-profile premiere and press cycle |
Each step shows deliberation. In Beans (2020), she embodied a 12-year-old Mohawk girl during the Oka Crisis, balancing tenderness with defiance. The role demanded authenticity; Tarbell delivered it with quiet fire, earning the “One to Watch” accolade and the attention of filmmakers who look for depth beyond the script.
By 2024, her portrayal of Katara in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender placed her squarely in the global conversation. The show’s scale and its beloved source material presented both opportunity and pressure. She met the moment—on the screen and on the red carpet—speaking with poise about responsibility, visibility, and the joy of embodying such a consequential character.
Musical Voice and Creative Range
Tarbell is not simply an actor who sings; she’s a songwriter who chisels feeling into melody. Her 2021 EP, In My Head, traces the contours of adolescence with self-possessed subtlety. Tracks like “Saying Goodnight,” “Unfamiliar,” and “This Moment” echo with the intimacies of growing up—first hesitations, sudden clarity, and those unnameable pauses between.
Her original song “Light at the End,” featured over the closing credits of Beans, threads her film work and music into a single creative fabric. She also shares covers—such as Kodaline’s “All I Want”—that showcase her ear for storytelling through voice, pared down and sincere. The music feels like a journal, only with better lighting: personal yet crafted, reflective yet present.
Craft, Community, and Representation
Tarbell’s choices spotlight Indigenous experiences without sacrificing universality. She gravitates to roles that honor cultural context and resist stereotype—characters whose lives hold humor, contradictions, and agency. On-screen, she often plays the fulcrum where tenderness meets tenacity. Off-screen, she credits her community, teachers, and family for keeping her rooted even as her world widens.
Representation matters, but Tarbell’s approach goes deeper than a headline. It’s in the careful research, the consideration of language and history, and the insistence that Indigenous stories be told with nuance. Her trajectory suggests a long career in which craft and community stay in conversation.
Media Presence and 2024 Spotlight
In early 2024, as Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered, Tarbell appeared at high-profile events with the charm of a seasoned pro. Interviews captured her excitement—“everyone can see it finally”—along with reflections on responsibility to fans and to the story’s spirit. Fashion outlets highlighted her premiere look, while entertainment press marked her emergence as one of the year’s most-watched young talents.
She maintains an active presence on Instagram (@kiawentiio), where project updates, music snippets, and glimpses of home circulate among a growing audience. Fan pages mirror this momentum, tracking appearances and celebrating milestones.
Financial Status
Exact earnings are private. Public estimates place her net worth in the low millions (approximately $1–$5 million), but these figures are unverified and should be treated as speculation. Her primary income appears to come from television and film roles, with music adding a complementary stream.
Milestones at a Glance
- 2006: Born in Akwesasne (April 28)
- 2019: Television debut as Ka’kwet in Anne with an E
- 2020: Feature film lead in Beans; recognized as “One to Watch”
- 2021: Releases EP In My Head
- 2023: Voice role in Marvel’s What If…?
- 2024: Global breakout as Katara in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender
FAQ
What does “Kiawenti Io” mean?
It means “nice morning” in the Mohawk language, Kanien’kéha.
Where is Kiawenti Io Tarbell from?
She was raised on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) in the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory on the Canada–U.S. border.
What was her first major acting role?
Her early breakout came as Ka’kwet in Anne with an E (2019).
Which film earned her early critical recognition?
Beans (2020) earned her the Vancouver Film Critics Circle’s “One to Watch” award.
Who does she play in Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)?
She portrays Katara in the Netflix live-action adaptation.
Is Kiawenti Io also a musician?
Yes, she writes and performs music; her EP In My Head was released in 2021.
What roles do her parents hold in the community?
Her mother works in cultural restoration for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe; her father works in infrastructure and community safety.
Does she have siblings?
Yes, an older sister, Kasennakohe “Kasie” David (b. 1994), and an older brother, Rasentonkwa (b. 1998).
What languages does she have ties to?
She is connected to Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) through heritage and upbringing, and works in English-language media.
Are reports of her net worth reliable?
No, public net worth figures are estimates and remain unverified.
