TV Series ‘Yellowstone’

Gil Birmingham plays Thomas Rainwater, a tribal chief and casino owner who’s ready and able to oppose those whose interests conflict with the well-being of the people he represents. Mr. Birmingham who is of Comanche ancestry on his father’s side has played his share of Native Americans and others on TV in films including “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River,” both written by Taylor Sheridan, the creator of “Yellowstone.” Mr. Birmingham stated in an interview, “Many people don’t even think that Native Americans still exist, that were just historical artifacts that once upon a time existed.” The reason for this is simple, the media continues to not show Native Americans on television, in books, and other forms of media and entertainment. When Native Americans are portrayed they are heavily and dangerously stereotyped. So, people’s perception of this group of people is heavily skewed. When groups of people are heavily stereotyped in the media, people begin to only know these stereotypes about people. “Yellowstone” is an important show because of its character development, but it has some work to do.