fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

On April 12, Moses Brings Plenty (Oglala Lakota), best known for his role as “Mo” on the popular television series “Yellowstone,” received the first New Horizon Award at the 63rd annual Western Heritage Award Ceremonies for his lifetime achievements.  

“I dedicate this award to my nephew Cole Brings Plenty, who was my mini-me,” Brings Plenty said at the award ceremony. “I am thankful to my wife, family, friends and each and every one of you. Thank you to Teton Ridge and others that are starting to open up the door for American Indian culture to be presented in parallel along with Western culture because we are parallel and we are one.”  

Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. 
 

The Western Heritage Awards honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Western heritage through creative works in literature, music, television, and film that share the stories of the American West. 

The night was filled with stars gracing the stage and accepting more than 20 different awards, including Reba McEntire for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Actors Keith Carradine, Noah Beery Jr., and John Smith were also inducted into the museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers. 

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where the event took place, was established in 1955 and stands as a premier institution of Western history, art, and culture. Its curated collection showcases over 28,000 Western and American Indian art pieces, making it a significant repository of Western and Indigenous heritage.

Brings Plenty has left an important mark on both the small and silver screens. Including his ongoing role in “Yellowstone,” he has acted in films such as “Jurassic World Dominion'' and the critically acclaimed series “The Good Lord Bird.” 

People across Indian County took to social media to express congratulations to Brings Plenty on the award and condolences for the tragic recent death of his nephew, actor Cole Brings Plenty.

Nłt'eego anlaa!! Congrats Mo!! Our hearts are with you and your family during this unimaginably hard time.. very bittersweet award to earn im sure. Akú leh nt'ee, Daníígo kensį́, Ik'íí da dendłi dała'aó.  — Kalie Lindsey

I’ve enjoyed watching your work….you bring honor to your people and their culture…never lose that Moses. So sorry for the loss of Cole too…he seemed to take after you. May his spirit rest now with the Creator. — Sandra Brekke

Such a talented man. He also played in the band Brule for several years, and we were fortunate to see the band twice in Arizona. Congratulations on his accomplishments and heartfelt sympathies to him and his family in the loss of his nephew.  — Jan Cusma Lockwood

Congrats! Very prestigious award & well deserved. Mixed emotions at this time, I'm sure. Stand proud & humble, for our Creator has his ways of showing us strength & guidance. Your struggles & tribulations in return give you reassurance Cole is at peace, he has journeyed well. God Bless you & your Family. — Sandy Collins

Proof that your dreams do come true. A big congratulations, cowboy! Love you as a role model for all the young people who have dreams too. — Ettamae Runnels

Beyond his acting career, Brings Plenty has worked as a horse stunt rider, rancher, and American Indian storyline consultant. He also advocates for environmental stewardship, recognizing our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. 

When he's not on set, Brings Plenty can be found tending to his ranch or actively engaging with his Lakota communities. His endeavors surround initiatives aimed at preserving cultural traditions and fostering inclusivity within Indian Country. 

More Stories Like This

"Your'e No Indian" Examines the Disenrollment Issue
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to Open New Exhibition: Section 14 – The Untold Story
Actor Jonathan Joss, Voice of John Redcorn, Killed in Texas Shooting
Celebrate Summer and Father’s Day at the Chickasaw Cultural Center – June 14
After 30 Years, Berkeley's Turtle Island Monument Foundation Will Be Built

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
 
About The Author
Kaili Berg
Author: Kaili BergEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Staff Reporter
Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.