1491s facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The 1491s |
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Members of the 1491s banter with the audience in 2013 at Simon Fraser University.
From left to right: Bobby Wilson, Sterlin Harjo, unidentified, Migizi Pensoneau; (not pictured: Dallas Goldtooth, Ryan RedCorn) |
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| Nationality | Indigenous |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Genres | Sketch comedy, Narrative comedy |
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| Notable works and roles | New Moon Wolf Pack Auditions To The Indigenous Woman - The Violence Against Women Act |
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The 1491s are a funny Native American sketch comedy group. Its members live in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Montana. They became well-known for their comedy videos starting in 2009.
The group is also famous for their work on popular TV shows. These include Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs.
Their comedy acts, spoken word, and longer stories show what modern Native American life is like. They use humor and jokes to talk about important topics. These include stereotypes, racism, and tribal politics. They also explore the mix of old traditions and new ways of life.
The 1491s have over 150 videos on YouTube. Many of these videos have become very popular. Their first video, a funny take on the Twilight movies, was called “New Moon Wolf Pack Auditions!!!!” A reporter from the Los Angeles Times said their videos were "some crass, some cryptic, some laugh-out-loud hilarious."
Dallas Goldtooth, a member of the group, said they were inspired by the British comedy group Monty Python's Flying Circus. The 1491s work together to create all of their comedy pieces.
The group's name, "The 1491s," refers to the year 1491. This was the year before Christopher Columbus arrived. It was also before Europeans started to widely settle in the Americas.
The 1491s: On Stage and Screen
The 1491s have appeared on The Daily Show. There, they created special content about the Native American mascot controversy. This controversy is about sports teams using Native American names and images.
They have also made videos about important social issues. For example, they supported including Indigenous women fully in the Violence Against Women Act. This law helps protect people from violence.
Bobby Wilson, a group member, explained their goals. He said, "There’s so much expectation put on Indigenous people in the arts." He added that non-Native people often wrote stories for Hollywood. The 1491s aim to challenge these old ideas. If old stereotypes appear in their work, it's only to make fun of them.
In 2018, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival asked the 1491s to write a play. The play was part of a series about US history. It was called Between Two Knees. This play ran from April 7, 2019, to October 27, 2019.
Between Two Knees is made of linked comedy sketches. It covers events from the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 to the Wounded Knee Occupation of the 1970s. Critics loved the play. One called it "a feat of theater magic so satisfying." Another said it "politely lays a guilt trip on white people for the history of injustices against Native Americans." The play was also performed at Yale University in 2022.
Members of the 1491s have acted in films and TV shows. Many of these were directed by group member Sterlin Harjo. In 2021, four of the five members worked on Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs. They worked as actors, writers, directors, and producers. By the second season of Reservation Dogs, all five members were working on the show.
Meet the Members of The 1491s
The 1491s group has five talented members:
- Dallas Goldtooth is from the Mdewakanton Dakota and Diné nations. He works as an organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network. He also teaches the Dakota language. Dallas is a writer, artist, and actor. You can see him in Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, and Ghosts.
- Sterlin Harjo is a filmmaker and TV director. He is from the Seminole and Muscogee nations. Sterlin is also the co-creator of the show Reservation Dogs.
- Migizi Pensoneau is a TV and film writer and producer. He is from the Ponca and Ojibwe nations. Migizi has also acted in shows like Barkskins, Rutherford Falls, and Reservation Dogs.
- Ryan RedCorn is from the Osage Nation. He is a graphic artist, photographer, writer, and spoken word artist. Ryan has also acted in films like Harjo's Barking Water. He joined the writing team for Reservation Dogs in its second season.
- Bobby Wilson (also known as Bobby Dues) is from the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota nation. He is a visual artist, writer, director, and producer. Bobby has also acted in Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs.
