Mo Brings Plenty, an enrolled member of the Lakota Nations, recently revealed that he had considered quitting acting before being cast in the popular television series, Yellowstone. As an actor, he had grown frustrated with the cultural misappropriation he saw onscreen. However, Yellowstone provided him with an opportunity to showcase his talent and contribute to the authenticity of Native storylines portrayed on the show. Brings Plenty plays the character Mo, who is the right-hand man to Broken Rock Tribe chief Thomas Rainwater, portrayed by Gil Birmingham.
While Brings Plenty’s character started as a smaller role, it expanded with each season of Yellowstone. Additionally, behind the scenes, Brings Plenty serves as the Native affairs coordinator for the show, bringing a grassroots-level of authenticity to the storytelling. He acknowledges that finding accurate representation of Native cultures onscreen is rare and believes that they are a valuable resource for ensuring authenticity.
In a recent interview, Brings Plenty discussed his transition from acting to consulting on Yellowstone. In the first three seasons, he assisted the Native affairs coordinator at the time with any traditional questions or concerns, leveraging his grassroots connections. When the coordinator left the show, Brings Plenty was offered the consulting role for season five. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and seeking assistance from individuals who have the firsthand experience and knowledge of tribal cultures.
In a 2022 New York Times profile, Brings Plenty mentioned that he was ready to quit acting before joining Yellowstone. However, after the success of the first season, he realized that he didn’t have to give up. He expressed frustration with casting directors and their misrepresentation of Native cultures. As a Native affairs coordinator, Brings Plenty ensures that tribes represented on the show are accurately portrayed. He visits tribal councils and grassroots communities to gain their support and input, recognizing the importance of their experiences and traditions.
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One of Brings Plenty’s essential responsibilities is ensuring the presence of fluent language speakers for any tribe represented on the show. He spoke about his role in advocating for the franchise and encountering hesitations. However, he mentioned that everyone has been supportive, especially with the flagship series, Yellowstone. The show already had a great working relationship with the Flathead Reservation and Salish folks. For the prequel series, 1923, representing the Crow tribe required building new connections, which Brings Plenty accomplished through meetings with community members and partnering with fluent language speakers like Birdie Real Bird.
Brings Plenty expressed pride in his work with actors like Aminah, Michael Spears, Michael Greyeyes, and Cole Brings Plenty. These actors embraced the value of language and allowed themselves to be vulnerable while representing their characters’ Native cultures. Brings Plenty understands that the Native language is fading and believes that preserving the language is crucial to preserving their existence.
When asked about the future of Native storylines on television, Brings Plenty expressed optimism. He believes that the support from individuals like Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios, and Paramount has given Native actors and consultants the opportunity to occupy the space that was previously filled with misrepresentations. However, he also recognizes that there is still progress to be made in terms of equality and recognizing the rarity of accurate Native representation.
Brings Plenty is committed to expanding his grassroots work beyond the Yellowstone franchise. He plans to create a group consisting of different tribes, including elders and historians who live by the cultural standards of their tribes. The group aims to change the way productions approach Native cultures and ensure authenticity in storytelling.
In conclusion, Mo Brings Plenty’s journey from considering quitting acting to becoming a Native affairs coordinator and consultant on Yellowstone showcases his dedication to authentic Native representation onscreen. Through his work, he aims to bring recognition and respect to Native cultures and histories and hopes to inspire positive change in the industry.
