Narax
Educated
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Apparently the inclusion of Crazy Horse in the original game was politically incorrect, so they're replacing him with a fictional character. I didn't know he is the prophet muhammad for natives
An Interview with Age of Empires III: DE voice-actor, Tokala Black Elk
Chayton Black and his Lakota uncle survey the plains in a cinematic from AoE III: DE
With less than a month until the arrival of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, we’re taking a closer look at the changes coming to the ‘Shadow’ storyline while introducing you to the voice behind its newest character: Uncle Warbonnet!
The historical personage of Crazy Horse—a leader of the Oglala band of the Lakota who died in 1877—originally appeared as a character in the Age of Empires III expansion, The WarChiefs. After feedback from our Indigenous consultants, we recognized the need to remove this revered figure from the narrative and replace him with a fictitious character invented by the lead writer of the new ‘Shadow’ storyline: Anthony Brave. In Anthony’s own words:
“I think a game can have Crazy Horse in it, but it has to be done right: with great care, thought, and research from the beginning…not just in how he is represented, but also with the kind of context the game creates. In this case, it just didn’t seem very dignifying for someone of his standing. I would also add that if you wanted to depict Crazy Horse, you should reach out to his maternal family to get permission.”
The character Anthony came up with to replace Crazy Horse is Uncle Warbonnet: the uncle of the ‘Shadow’ storyline’s hero—Chayton Black. Chayton is the son of Amelia Black (the protagonist of AoE III: DE’s ‘Steel’ campaign) and Uncle Warbonnet’s late brother. Raised on the east coast of North America, Chayton is seeking out his Lakota relatives when the story begins. Finding them alters his life forever—though you’ll have to play the new ‘Shadow’ campaign to discover exactly how…
HISTORICAL FACT: The warbonnet was a headdress worn only by a warrior who had shown great courage in battle, and was worn as a symbol of his high standing in his band.
Tokala Black Elk
Tokala Black Elk is an actor (Yellowstone), voice-over artist (The Revenant and Westworld), and an activist who has appeared before Congress to represent the Lakota Nation. He is also a certified teacher of the Lakota language, and now adds the role of Uncle Warbonnet (aka Uncle Frank) to his resume—a brand-new character appearing in the reworked ‘Shadow’ storyline of Age of Empires III: DE.
♦ ♦ ♦
WORLD’S EDGE: Hi Tokala! Where are you from?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the southwest corner of South Dakota. I am a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, though our name for ourselves is Lakota.
WORLD’S EDGE: What does Tokala mean and what is the history behind your name?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: Tokala has 3 meanings.
First, it is the Lakota name for the smallest Fox in North America—the Kit Fox.
Second, we had a Warrior Society named for these little foxes; it was said that they used to pack up like wolves and could defeat a black bear when working together.
Third, it is a Warrior from the Kit Fox Warrior Society. That last one is my name’s meaning: “Warrior of the Kit Fox Warrior Society.”
WORLD’S EDGE: How did you get your start in acting?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: By complete accident. I drove someone else to an open casting, but my car AC had just died whilst it was about 104°F [40°C], so I decided to wait in the air-conditioned waiting area. When I went inside, the Casting Director said, “You’re next,” and pushed me into a room with the Director. I had no sides [a.k.a. the audition script], no resume, nothing…but I ad-libbed and was cast in the role of a villain.
WORLD’S EDGE: What is your dream role in a movie?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I don’t have one… I do have an acting dream, though. I’d like to wear pants in several films in a row. Movie breachcloths are always made by Costumers rather than an actual guy wearing the thing. I wear a lot of leggings and breachcloths for period films, but when I get to wear pants I’m either portraying a modern person, someone in the future, or someone from a different world, altogether. (I have no problem wearing leggings and a breachcloth; I just think I can also act with pants on.)
WORLD’S EDGE: Is there a historical Native American figure you would want to play?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: Several. There are so many amazing stories about Natives that Hollywood has not tapped. There are World War 2 soldiers that changed the outcome of many battles—and maybe even the war itself. The majority of those have not had their stories set to the big screen or television.
I also always wanted to play “American Horse,” because that guy had style with his trench coat, sideways hat, six-shooters, and giant warhorse.
WORLD’S EDGE: Have you ever known someone like Uncle Warbonnet?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I based his voice and demeanor on my late great-uncle, Thomas Black Elk. So, I suppose yes, I have!
pre-order Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition so you can meet Uncle Warbonnet this October!
Chayton Black and his Lakota uncle survey the plains in a cinematic from AoE III: DE
With less than a month until the arrival of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, we’re taking a closer look at the changes coming to the ‘Shadow’ storyline while introducing you to the voice behind its newest character: Uncle Warbonnet!
The historical personage of Crazy Horse—a leader of the Oglala band of the Lakota who died in 1877—originally appeared as a character in the Age of Empires III expansion, The WarChiefs. After feedback from our Indigenous consultants, we recognized the need to remove this revered figure from the narrative and replace him with a fictitious character invented by the lead writer of the new ‘Shadow’ storyline: Anthony Brave. In Anthony’s own words:
“I think a game can have Crazy Horse in it, but it has to be done right: with great care, thought, and research from the beginning…not just in how he is represented, but also with the kind of context the game creates. In this case, it just didn’t seem very dignifying for someone of his standing. I would also add that if you wanted to depict Crazy Horse, you should reach out to his maternal family to get permission.”
The character Anthony came up with to replace Crazy Horse is Uncle Warbonnet: the uncle of the ‘Shadow’ storyline’s hero—Chayton Black. Chayton is the son of Amelia Black (the protagonist of AoE III: DE’s ‘Steel’ campaign) and Uncle Warbonnet’s late brother. Raised on the east coast of North America, Chayton is seeking out his Lakota relatives when the story begins. Finding them alters his life forever—though you’ll have to play the new ‘Shadow’ campaign to discover exactly how…
HISTORICAL FACT: The warbonnet was a headdress worn only by a warrior who had shown great courage in battle, and was worn as a symbol of his high standing in his band.
Tokala Black Elk
Tokala Black Elk is an actor (Yellowstone), voice-over artist (The Revenant and Westworld), and an activist who has appeared before Congress to represent the Lakota Nation. He is also a certified teacher of the Lakota language, and now adds the role of Uncle Warbonnet (aka Uncle Frank) to his resume—a brand-new character appearing in the reworked ‘Shadow’ storyline of Age of Empires III: DE.
♦ ♦ ♦
WORLD’S EDGE: Hi Tokala! Where are you from?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the southwest corner of South Dakota. I am a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, though our name for ourselves is Lakota.
WORLD’S EDGE: What does Tokala mean and what is the history behind your name?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: Tokala has 3 meanings.
First, it is the Lakota name for the smallest Fox in North America—the Kit Fox.
Second, we had a Warrior Society named for these little foxes; it was said that they used to pack up like wolves and could defeat a black bear when working together.
Third, it is a Warrior from the Kit Fox Warrior Society. That last one is my name’s meaning: “Warrior of the Kit Fox Warrior Society.”
WORLD’S EDGE: How did you get your start in acting?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: By complete accident. I drove someone else to an open casting, but my car AC had just died whilst it was about 104°F [40°C], so I decided to wait in the air-conditioned waiting area. When I went inside, the Casting Director said, “You’re next,” and pushed me into a room with the Director. I had no sides [a.k.a. the audition script], no resume, nothing…but I ad-libbed and was cast in the role of a villain.
WORLD’S EDGE: What is your dream role in a movie?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I don’t have one… I do have an acting dream, though. I’d like to wear pants in several films in a row. Movie breachcloths are always made by Costumers rather than an actual guy wearing the thing. I wear a lot of leggings and breachcloths for period films, but when I get to wear pants I’m either portraying a modern person, someone in the future, or someone from a different world, altogether. (I have no problem wearing leggings and a breachcloth; I just think I can also act with pants on.)
WORLD’S EDGE: Is there a historical Native American figure you would want to play?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: Several. There are so many amazing stories about Natives that Hollywood has not tapped. There are World War 2 soldiers that changed the outcome of many battles—and maybe even the war itself. The majority of those have not had their stories set to the big screen or television.
I also always wanted to play “American Horse,” because that guy had style with his trench coat, sideways hat, six-shooters, and giant warhorse.
WORLD’S EDGE: Have you ever known someone like Uncle Warbonnet?
TOKALA BLACK ELK: I based his voice and demeanor on my late great-uncle, Thomas Black Elk. So, I suppose yes, I have!
pre-order Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition so you can meet Uncle Warbonnet this October!