Joyful protests and funny rituals with Reservation Dogs' Dallas Goldtooth

It's Been a Minute

NPR

News Commentary, Society & Culture, News, Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality

4.6 • 8.8K Ratings

🗓️ 16 August 2022

⏱️ 23 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In FX's Reservation Dogs, Dallas Goldtooth plays the character "Spirit" — a Native American warrior in feathers and buckskin who curses and makes dirty jokes. Dallas also brings his irreverence to the frontlines of protests against oil pipelines. He talks to guest host Tracie Hunte about merging his passions for comedy and organizing, and how he's changing stereotypes with heaps of joy.

You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	In the pilot episode of the FX series, reservation dogs, we meet a character who seems familiar.
0:07.0	Like we've seen him a hundred times before.
0:10.0	Oh, young lawyer. Looks as though you've tasted the white man's lead.
0:15.0	Most people expect a super stoic Native American on horseback with feathers.
0:22.0	That's Dallas Goldtooth.
0:24.0	I mean, I do show up on horseback and feathers.
0:26.0	Are you crazy horse or sitting? No, no, no. I'm not one of those awesome guys.
0:32.0	No, I'm more of your uh, I'm more of your unknown warrior.
0:36.0	Beyond that, all expectations are upended.
0:39.0	Officially his name is William Knifeman, but most people know him as spirit.
0:44.0	I was at the battle a little bit of horn. That's right.
0:47.0	I didn't kill anybody, but I fought bravely. Well, I didn't actually fight.
0:50.0	I actually didn't even get into the fight itself.
0:52.0	But came over that hill real rugged like, I saw a custer like that.
0:57.0	He's a spirit helper that curses and has no qualms about dropping penis jokes in the middle of delivering wise sage wisdom.
1:07.0	What are you going to do? What are you going to fight for?
1:13.0	I just with you, but for real though, listen to what I said. Marinate on that.
1:20.0	Oh, let's go.
1:23.0	You're listening to its vina minute from NPR. I'm Tracy Hunt.
1:27.0	Today's guest is the actor, writer and organizer Dallas Goldtooth.
1:32.0	He of course plays spirit on reservation dogs.
1:35.0	Its second season is airing on FX in Hulu. He's also a writer on the show.
	...

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