In Hollywood, the portrayal of Native American stories has long been a subject of scrutiny when depicted through the lens of non-Native creators. Such is the case with filmmaker Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on projects like the Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923, as well as the 2017 film Wind River. As a white man, Sheridan has faced criticism for his handling of these narratives, accused of appropriating and misrepresenting Native American experiences.
Mo Brings Plenty’s Behind-the-Scenes Yellowstone Stories Counters Taylor Sheridan’s Criticisms
Mo Brings Plenty, a member of the Lakota Nations, was troubled by the cultural misappropriation he witnessed on screen. This frustration persisted until he secured a role in the first season of Yellowstone.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brings Plenty shared his journey on the show, and what it achieved for his culture. Although nothing is perfect he is working tirelessly to make it better. He said speaking about the industry as a whole,
If you want accuracy, then you have to come to a few of us. We’re not a dime a dozen anymore, It’s a slow process, but I’m trying to change how everything is being done.
I acted on the first three seasons, but I assisted the individual who was the coordinator at the time [Daryl Begay] if he had any traditional questions regarding the culture. I have more grassroots connections. When he exited to pursue other things, that’s when the consulting [job] was offered to me for season five. He’s from a different tribe, but we want the best and we help each other out. Still today, if something comes up that I don’t know about, I can call on him.
This directly addresses the past criticisms faced by Taylor Sheridan. By integrating Brings Plenty into both the on-screen narrative and the production process, handles and takes action about the concerns of cultural misappropriation head-on.
Taylor Sheridan Faced Criticism for Cultural Appropriation in Yellowstone
Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, has faced criticism for cultural appropriation primarily due to his portrayal of Native American characters and cultures in this show as well as others.
Some critics argue that the representation of Native American tribes in Yellowstone is oversimplified and stereotypical and that the show relies on Native American imagery and tropes without fully exploring the complexities of Indigenous cultures and histories.
Yellowstone is streaming on Paramount+.