Hollywood hasn't always had the greatest reputation when it comes to indigenous representation (via Variety). But things have changed, and steady progress is being made to rectify the situation. It hasn't gone unnoticed by Gil Birmingham, who is thrilled that "Yellowstone" provides a refreshing and respectful take on Native Americans, as compared to previous Hollywood projects like "Dances With Wolves." Birmingham told The Playlist, "You'd be shocked to know that the majority of people think that Native Americans don't exist, so to be able to tell their own stories as the writers and the producers and directors — it gives it a level of inherent experience that no other writer or artist could bring to it. And people are really coming to appreciate and be exposed to a real authentic portrayal of the Native community."
The praise from Birmingham should not be that surprising given how Taylor Sheridan is known for accurately portraying Native Americans in his projects. Sheridan has also been vocal about his desire to change things up. "I don't think that there is a more misrepresented group in American cinema than the Native American," Sheridan said. "And what little I can do to correct that historical perspective in fiction, I'm gonna do" (via Whiskeyriff.com).
Sheridan's mission to change the narrative in Hollywood for indigenous representation seems to be going well, and from Birmingham's account, it would appear that "Yellowstone" is a successful part of that endeavor.
