Hello, Nash West Besties. A young man has been in my thoughts. His name is Cole Brings Plenty, an actor, a proud member of the Mniucouju Lakota tribe and cousin to actor Mo Brings Plenty. He was reported missing and then found dead in Kansas last week. The indigenous led Rising Hearts organization started the “Braids for Cole” movement for Monday, April 8th. Supporters of this movement were encouraged to wear braids on that day. Braids are considered sacred in many Native American communities.
Last year, at the prestigious Western Heritage Awards held in the beautiful ballroom of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Cole’s uncle Mo Brings Plenty gave a very stirring speech at the end of the evening in which he spoke about the hardships and joys of his reservation upbringing. Sitting next to me was my 78 year old mother, who grew up in poverty in Mexico. She made her way over to him after the program and with tears in her eyes she said, “I’m from Mexico. Your words meant so much to me.” Mo took time to talk to her and then asked me to take their picture. Very cool.
Western Heritage is so much more than cowboys and ranching. Thinking of my mother, Mo Brings Plenty and Cole, reminds me of the importance of leaning into the diversity of the American West and its courageous cast of characters and cultures. I feel very proud to be a presenter at this year's annual Western Heritage Awards and to see a wide swath of artists recognized, not by Hollywood, but on a red carpet honoring the maverick story-tellers of our generation.
We lost Cole Brings Plenty too soon. He was only 27 years old. A young man full of promise. Braids are also an important part of my Mexican culture as well and I’ll be wearing braids this weekend in support of the Braids for Cole movement.
Be well, my friends. I’ll share pictures from Oklahoma City this weekend.
Peace, Love and Spurs..
Rock On, NashWest Guys and Girls!
Love, MK
Sending love to my sponsors…
Anita Crane Photography
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