It was like, okay, this is on Paramount this is the Yellowstone universe. EW spoke to Nieves and Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty who serves as the American Indian Affairs Coordinator for his show and 1923 about how it felt to depict such an ugly part of our nation's history, Teonna's budding romance with Pete (who's played by Mo's nephew! Hes been called steady, he keeps things grounded, many love seeing his traditions and what he does for his people by showcasing their own lives, and many just adore him because he is so intensely likable despite his readiness to kill he only kills when its necessary and for the greater good. She's exhausted. What was it like to play that bit of happiness for her after she went through so much pain this season? Mo brings a great stability and a great loyalty, and you just have a sense that you're being . [Laughs] But I was in tears, not only for Teonna's story but for everyone's story, too. Contents 1 Personal life 2 Appearances 2.1 Season 1 2.2 Season 2 2.3 Season 3 2.4 Season 4 2.5 Season 5 3 Images 4 Videos 5 References Personal life Mo had a troubled youth. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. We viewed them as our homes; they are still our homes. All Rights Reserved. Last night, during Yellowstone Season 4 Episode 3, fans got a heartwarming glimpse into Mos personal life on the Broken Rock Reservation. A lifestyle so perfectly captured by the country greats of yesterday, but still alive and well today in artists who truly get it. However, what do you really know about Mo Brings Plenty? The entire finale episode is incredible. And I am! And she's currently halfway through her year-long "Road to Healing" listening tour. Often, when they cant, especially with the ducks + geese, they come home with us where they live the rest of their days. Look up what a tribal enrollment number is. Thats where Im at with all of it. Let's start with recurring actors Mo Brings Plenty (a.k.a. We have to be able to find a way to allow people to heal so that way we can begin to figure out our [current] situations and our circumstances and most importantly, find a space to be able to work together. Brings Plenty: Yeah. In 1923, you have the story of Teonna for me, I've experienced that as a kid. What makes you want to tell these stories, even if its within a show that has white and nonwhite characters? When Nieves saw what Sheridan had in store for Teonna, she tells The Hollywood Reporter that she had doubts about the role. Brings Plenty: You know, I live with the concept Im a realist that if you do not witness something, then it cant be true. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. What it did for me was it fueled me to become more of what [the children at those schools] were told they could no longer be. People dont know that behind the scenes Mo was there every second of every single day. Nieves: Leenah, Julia [Schlaepfer, who plays Alex], Michelle [Randolph, who plays Elizabeth] and I are all best friends. 2022 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Because its not just me doing it. For eight episodes, 1923 has tracked Teonnas epic journey. But I was. And also, she's doing it again, Teonna's killing someone else. AMINAH NIEVES: You want my honest first reaction? Cole Brings Plenty as Pete Plenty Clouds. Im left in the dust over here. I remember the rulers. Nieves: No, and I wish that we did. With cultural diversity, we're able to begin this whole mending and healing process. NIEVES: I didn't know the language before coming into it, so I learned it. It was kind of a lot for her to move through all of those emotions at once. While he prefers peace, Mo is not someone you want to mess with. What does it mean to both of you to tell Teonna's story in a year when this real-life "Road to Healing" tour is happening? Now the media is opening up to our existence. Not for me, but for everyone. So, I was not part of the casting process. Official Sites, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, <= Native Talent - American Indian / First Nation Males =>, First Nation and indigenous people's Actors/Actresses, Sara Ann Brings Plenty I loved the budding romance between Teonna and Pete. And so I want to utilize the positivity of it. And it gave her a chance for her child self to show. And [1923's Crow language translator] Birdie Real Bird shared so much with me, and Leenah Robinson [who plays Teonna's cousin Baapuxti] and her parents. You talk of the support you had, including from Mo. (Laughs.) This means a lot. The median salary of an actor is around $40,860 per year. There are so many things I wish for her. To be able to share Crow with the world, and to have these beautiful babies witness it and watch it and see their language being spoken on TV, it was incredible. It made it easy because we're all family. [1] Moviegoers can now catch him playing "Shep Wauneka" in the newly released Jurassic World Dominion (2022) and as "Ottawa Jones" in Showtime's Peabody award-winning limited series The Good Lord Bird (2021). Because for one, this is my first big role, pretty much of anything that anyone has seen me in. But above all, he is a man who wholeheartedly believes in human kindness, and he trusts the good in humanity still exists and feels it just needs to be dusted off a bit. Personal Life: Who Is His Wife? After spending four years on the Yellowstone which is a fictional ranch, it was a real eye-opener to go down to the Sixes which is a real life, incredible, sort of goliath, cattle ranch. Mo is a character who says very little, but what he does say is nothing short of wise, articulate, and honest. . Who is your favorite character? Those familiar with the battle will know the strengths of those names and understand why Mo sees the world through the lens of the forces and sacrifices his family and ancestors made so that he could be here today. Sign up forEntertainment Weekly'sfree daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. But she could be herself for a second. It's hard to ask those questions sometimes, because in those moments you are also bringing up the trauma for them. And that had nothing to do with him getting the role, thats all him! A lot of our family members still reside there. That would be wild. A Jamie? Of course, his role in sharing Native American stories is a centerpiece of the series: Taylor Sheridans Yellowstone universe is growing. It all happened so fast. And Ive done it with all shows where I looked at a forgotten part of the American experience., With Yellowstone I had built out this backstory of where the Dutton family came from and with 1932 I chose that moment in time to peek back in because youre seeing the children we met in 1883 now attempting to raise another generation of Dutton at a time of the wild west is becoming a playground for the elite from the East.. He is a talented drummer, and he plays in a band called Brule. But we have an incredible stunt crew. Those familiar with the battle will know the strengths of those names and understand why Mo sees the world through the lens of the forces and sacrifices his family and ancestors made so that he could be here today. [1] He is a direct descendant of Brings Plenty, an Oglala Lakota warrior who fought in the Battle of Little Big Horn. And not until the end of the finale, titled Nothing Left to Lose, was it revealed that after everything she has endured she is a survivor. Thoughtful and patient, yet strong and confident, Mo is essentially the Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) of the reservation, except with a little more grace and finesse. Every day that Im given, I try to be more of an example of the past more so than the present, with hopes that I can inspire the present to also do the same. As a Makes Room on his mother's side and a Brings Plenty on his father's, he is the stock of his grandfathers who fought at the Battle at Little Big Horn. [3], He has performed for charity events such as Project Lighthouse, who provides warm clothing and bedding to northern Indian reservations.[7]. Cole Hauser and Mo Brings Plenty, who plays Rip Wheeler and Mo, respectively, took the Golden Globes stage to present the awards for Best Actress and Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology, or . To be able to share our dialogue, 90 percent of our dialogue, in Crow in this show it's so special. Because I think to a mass amount of people, we still dont exist. The actress, who plays Teonna Rainwater on the 'Yellowstone' prequel series, and Brings Plenty, an actor and cultural consultant on the franchise, speak to The Hollywood Reporter about capturing a horrifying history and bringing Indigenous stars to the forefront in the megahit Taylor Sheridan franchise. Moses Brings Plenty is an Oglala Lakota television, film . You ready for em? Cole Hauser and Mo Brings Plenty, who plays Rip Wheeler and Mo, respectively, took the Golden Globes stage to present the awards for Best Actress and Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology, or . There's a huge movement now encouraging diversity, but that [discussion about] diversity is only [focusing on] the skin color. A post shared by Mo Brings Plenty (@mobringsplenty) While "Yellowstone" star Mo Brings Plenty claims some people might not like his post, many in the comments actually agreed with him. NIEVES: I think it's important because it's very rare to see our truths being told, and as raw as this is, on a big platform. So in a perfect world, what if she were to come back? We are all in this together. There are so many spiritual predators out there, always looking for their next item they can utilize in their sales of considering themselves a spiritual leader or whatever the case may be. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Aminah, what was your first reaction when you read the script for the finale and saw where Teonna's story concluded for the season? Apparently, the roast beef sandwich is for him. The good news for Mo fans? And Mo, he's a storyteller and he shared so much with me. I felt so safe with everyone there, with Mo, with Birdie, with Ben [Richardson, director] that I could just go up to them and be like, Hey, I need five minutes. Jefferson White sat down with us on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast and explained everything he knows about the upcoming spinoff so far. He is a stage and screen actor, horse stuntman, and producer, and is best known for his role as "Mo" on the hit series "Yellowstone," and for his portrayal of "Ottawa Jones . "I spent time on all three reservations, so I always say I grew up in the Lakota Nation," he said. Ive gotten a lot of positive feedback and its given me the opportunity to say, Hey, just become what those children were told they can no longer be.. So Ive known this has happened. Whether its Waylon, Willie and legends of the past, or superstars in the making like Zach Bryan, our finger is always on the pulse of true country music. Michelle Shining Elk, Other Works People kind of like to ignore it, but they can't ignore it anymore. How would you rate this article? It was a welcome almost a welcome home, in a sense. She and Mo were introduced to us about a week before we got to Montana for cowboy camp. Not every American Indian or Native or Indigenous child is experiencing the same negative issues they're similar, but they're expressed differently. And now we have to be prepared to be able to share who our ancestors once were not just then, but who we desire to be again in the whole process. Given the trauma in Teonnas story, what hesitations did you have initially, and what convinced you to take on the part? Publicity Listings Nieves: It was a mix of both. I wasn't expecting it. Know it is the land that is killing you. Hes also modeled for John Yaegar. There have been articles explaining the historical accuracy of the church-run boarding schools like the one Teonna escapes from in 1923, and an audience who may not all know the history. Brings Plenty, who plays Mo on the flagship series, explains why 1923 couldnt shy away from the horrifying reality of Teonnas plight: If you want to walk beside Taylor Sheridan, hes so fearless that you, too, have to be courageous to do what needs to be done and tell these stories in a good way. On a more positive note, you walk on set each day and you're surrounded by a bunch of Indigenous youth, and I'm surrounded by incredible Indigenous actors playing all these roles. And so Im fond of doing what we have done, because Taylor understands. I remember getting a haircut in third grade and going through that because that era and that moment didnt just end when those boarding schools closed. Mo is an adviser, enforcer, and driver for Broken Rock Tribe leader Thomas Rainwater. Brings Plenty. I utilized it to become exactly what our ancestors were told they could no longer be. I'm thankful because these stories need to be shared with millions of people. Nieves: It is a lot to carry, and also I think its our duty to carry it. It wasnt just about our ancestors, even though that was a given. Im just so thankful to have shared that moment with Aminah and everyone. [3], Moses Brings Plenty played drums for the band Brul, who combines traditional Native American drums and flute with contemporary musical instruments. But the people of today were there and supportive; it takes a village to bring to life a great story. I wanted to get it right. My father does a really great job at sharing stories; hes a storyteller, all my life. On "Yellowstone," Mo Brings Plenty plays "Mo," a multi-talented and loyal Broken Rock Tribe member and leader. Really, the beautiful thing about this show and crew is, if we needed a moment, we could take as long as we needed. Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater in '1923' (Inset: Mo Brings Plenty), Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater (right) with Jennifer Ehle as Sister Mary in, Mo Brings Plenty, who grew up in the Lakota Nation, as Mo in, Teonna (Nieves) at the boarding school depicted in. Apparently, the trio works together as the Geese + Duck Rescue A-Team.. We call them hobbies because that is what we call everything you are not doing when you are working or spending time with your family mostly because most people dont spend their free time doing things they dislike or dont love. And I understand where a lot of people come from. All of this is horrifying, its a horrifying story. BRINGS PLENTY: What was most important to me was to support the storyline that [1923 creator] Taylor [Sheridan] had written. All I have to say is, it's about . Im also curious to hear your thoughts on the conversation around who can claim Native identity, and if you feel that 1923 has influenced that conversation as its been airing. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. Why not become that again? Nieves: Its a loose-ended theory. @ParamountPlus #ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/ujGaWMWqt3, Yellowstone (@Yellowstone) February 15, 2022. Mo Brings Plenty is an enrolled Lakota who hails from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Brings Plenty: You cant have a backstory of the Dutton families without having it include members from the Broken Rock reservation. It felt so nice! He is the driver and assistant of Thomas Rainwater . They go through the action moments with us about 10 to 30 minutes before we go on. So, there was a lot of breadth and tenderness throughout the whole crew. It is so important not only to him but to the show itself. So while Im browsing around Reddit, I come across a post in the Yellowstone subreddit that shares my appreciation for Mo as one of the unsung heroes of the show. Personally, I believe that the real star of the show is Beth. That was really difficult to sit with and to do. When it comes to. Here's how he put it: What was most important to me was to support the storyline that [1923 creator] Taylor had written.