Amos Little (Charging Cloud), a student at Our Lady of Lourdes and one of the original students of the Lakota Immersion Childcare program, has landed a significant role in Kevin Costner’s new movie, “Horizon: An American Saga.” Costner’s latest project, a Western, is set during the Civil War years (1861-1865) and promises to chronicle the expansive story of American westward expansion.
Amos Little (Charging Cloud), who plays the character of Young Ralston in Parts 1 and 2 of the saga, shared his journey into Hollywood in a recent interview.
How did you get the role of Ralston in Horizon: An American Saga?
“My Grandma Sue sent a casting call to my mom, and from there, my mom asked if I’d like to try it out. We went through a few rounds of auditions, and in the final round, Kevin called me himself and offered me the role of Young Ralston in Parts 1 & 2 of the Saga. I was shocked and didn’t say much to him, but I was excited,” Amos recounted.
When did you start filming, and how long did it take?
“I began filming for Part I in September 2022 and Part 2 in May 2023. Both times, I was in Moab, Utah, for 5 weeks. I didn’t film for 5 weeks straight, but I was ‘on call’ for when it was my turn to go on set,” he explained.
What was it like being on set?
“I was anxious and excited, but once I was into filming and meeting new people, I felt loved and cared for by many of the people who were part of the set. I was able to learn so much about making films and acting in the time I was around everyone. I made family with a lot of the set crew, and I still keep in touch with them. I’m sure my mom loved being on set with me. They took care of her and treated her like they did for me,” Amos shared.
What do you think of Kevin Costner?
“Kevin is very nice and caring. He’s a hands-on person who guided me as a mentor. He took the time to show me his vision for Ralston and what it means to play the character. Him, Phil, Jimmy, Etan, Tom, Carly, and so many others encouraged my love for acting. Bodhi, Tatanka, Owen, Macé, Greg became my relatives as other Indigenous cast. I’m thankful for their guidance, too. I thought it would be a lone journey, but it was far from it with all the help I had,” Amos said.
What languages did you have to speak?
“I had to learn Apache and spoke it for most of my role in Part 1. We (myself and other Indigenous cast members) had a few Apache language teachers who helped us learn. Since the movie premiered in theaters, I have had Apache individuals reach out and compliment me on my representation of the language. There are some same sounds in Apache language that there are in the Lakota language. I think growing up with fluent grandparents and in a Lakota Immersion helped me with representation of the Apache language,” Amos explained.
What are your future plans?
“I continue to audition for roles and nurture my love for it. I plan to keep finding my place in the industry,” he shared.
Do you have anything else you want people to know?
“I just want people to know the possibilities for us as Indigenous people. We just have to be willing to work hard and be dedicated to our goals. I want Indigenous youth to know it’s possible to accomplish things and venture into new places we normally aren’t used to and that no matter what, there are always people willing to support us,” Amos said.
Amos Little (Charging Cloud)’s journey from the Lakota Immersion Childcare program to starring in a major Hollywood production is a remarkable testament to his talent, dedication, and family support. His role in “Horizon: An American Saga” is not just a personal milestone but also serves as a powerful inspiration for Indigenous youth everywhere, showcasing the possibilities that can be achieved.