He is an original Indian from the Earth. He is a former Lt. Commander in
Starfleet who left because of his ideas and joined the Maquis. He was the
captain of the Maquis ship until it destroyed.
He respects Janeway's ideals because she believes in the lives of her crew.
When the Maquis ship is destroyed, Janeway makes him her first officer because
of his great abilities and so that the Maquis can integrate themselves into
the crew.
He wanted Janeway to make B'elanna Torres Chiefingeneer, because he believes
in his old crew.
Chakotay is from the Native American tribe that settled on a planet near
the Cardassian border, in the DNZ. He follows many of their traditions, including
carrying a medicine bundle, and having a spirit guide that often advises
him.
He completed Starfleet Academy and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Commander
on the U.S.S. Merrimac. When his people were attacked by the Cardassians,
Chakotay left Starfleet and joined the Maquis soon after it was formed.
He commanded the Maquis ship that was taken to the Delta quadrant by the
Caretaker (pilot). Once on board Voyager, he was made first officer of the
joint crews and promoted to the rank of Commander.
He is the only crew member that was on the Maquis ship who has experience
as a Starfleet Officer.
Chakotay was born on a planet near the Cardassian border where his family's tribe, decendents of the aincent Rubber Tree People, had settled many years ago. He refused to accept his people's ways, and left for Starfleet Academy.
While in Starfleet, Chakotay rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. When his tribe's planet was turned over to the Cardassians in a peace treaty in 2370, he resigned from Starfleet and joined the Maquis.
Chakotay episodes:
Cathexis - Chakotay returns from a mission, his neural energy drained.
Initiations - Chakotay is targeted by a Kazon youth who must earn his warrior
name.
Tattoo - When an away team encounters hostile natives, Chakotay has flashbacks
to his childhood.
Maneuvers - Chakotay goes after Seska alone when the Kazon steal a transporter
module.
Robert Beltran plays First Officer Chakotay, the steady, fearless Captain of the Maquis ship, in Star Trek: Voyager, produced by Paramount Network Television for broadcast on UPN.
When the two teams become one on the Starship U.S. S. Voyager, Chakotay agrees to the position of First Officer. A Native American who attended Starfleet Academy and became a Lieutenant Commander, Chakotay resigned his position to join the Maquis.
Born November 19 and raised in Bakersfield, California, Beltran graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in Theater Arts. Although his love for acting began in elementary school, his passion has flourished throughout the years into an impressive list of credits. His extensive theater background includes performances in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Hamlet," and "King Henry IV" for the California Shakespeare Festival. He has worked with El Teatro Campesino, the theater company of famed writer/director Luis Valdez, where he appeared in "Corridos," "Rose of the Rancho," and "La Pastorela." It was in the Los Angeles Theater Center where Beltran performed to critical acclaim in the Luis Valdez production "I Don't Have to Show You No Stinkin' Badges." His multitude of theater credits also include "Macbeth" at the La Jolla Playhouse as well as "A Burning Beach" and "Stars in the Morning Sky" at the Los Angeles Theater Center.
His feature film credits include his critically-acclaimed performance in "Eating Raoul" which was proceeded with lead roles in "Gaby" and "Kiss Me A Killer." Beltran starred in "Scenes From the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills" and worked with Barry Levinson in "Bugsy."
Prior to joining Star Trek: Voyager, Beltran appeared as Lieutenant Soto in FOX's Models, Inc. His television performances have included the lead role in HBO's Midnight Caller and the ABC mini-series The Mystic Warrior. Beltran has also guest starred on numerous programs including Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Murder She Wrote and Miami Vice.
He is the founding member and co-artistic director of the East Los Angeles Classic Theater Group, designed to provide cultural enrichment to the East Los Angeles community.
For information regarding the Robert Beltran Fan Club, write to:
For comments, suggestions, ideas etc.etc. please Mail-me.
by Mario Guatteri