Native American Actor Slams Yellowstone's Misrepresentation: Shocking Revelations!

Summary

Yellowstone's depiction of Indigenous people is criticized as "delusional" and "deplorable" by Native American actor Lily Gladstone.

Gladstone refrains from blaming the cast and acknowledges the limited availability of Native talent for auditions. However, the portrayal of the Broken Rock Indian reservation in the show faces severe criticism despite its success.

A prominent Native American actor is speaking out against the portrayal of Yellowstone. The show follows the challenges faced by the fictional Dutton family as they try to maintain control over Montana's largest ranch. Throughout their journey, they clash with various powerful groups, including the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. Paramount's network has found success with this series, earning awards and producing spin-offs.

However, the show has received criticism, particularly from Lily Gladstone, the star of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Gladstone expresses frustration with Yellowstone's depiction of Indigenous people, describing it as "Delusional!" and "Deplorable!" It is important to note that she does not attribute blame to the cast of the show. Read the rest of her quote below:

“No offense to the Native talent in that. I auditioned several times. That’s what we had.”

The Flawed Representation In Yellowstone

Although Gladstone does not provide precise details about the specific elements she critiques, there exist numerous flaws in the show's portrayal of Indigenous individuals. Taylor Sheridan, the creator, has consistently aimed to accurately represent Native Americans. Nevertheless, the show rarely addresses the realities faced by its Native cast and instead centers primarily on the dramatic events within the Dutton family. Consequently, the portrayal of Indigenous people in the show falls short of perfection.

Gil Birmingham's character, Thomas Rainwater, shares a strong desire to maintain control over the Broken Rock reservation, similar to John Dutton's attachment to his own ranch. However, it is important to note that their struggles cannot be directly equated. Dutton's ranch is a thriving business that he clings to in order to maintain power, while the Indigenous communities are trying to survive and reclaim land that was stolen from them after enduring years of brutal discrimination.

Although the Broken Rock faction is generally less ruthless than the Duttons, this does not excuse their failure to effectively establish the significance of their fight. Additionally, the show often portrays violence against Native women, which can be offensive. It is important to acknowledge that many Native women experience extreme violence in real life, and if their struggles are depicted insensitively on-screen, it can come across as exploitative. This may be the primary aspect of Yellowstone that Gladstone is criticizing.

Source: Vulture