The Shoshone and the Ute people are given a heavy focus inAmerican Primeval, and here is their history in the Netflix Western miniseries and their history in the real world, explained.American Primevalis all about the warring factionsthat made up the Utah Territory in 1857, with the Mormons, the U.S. Military, the people of Fort Bridger, and more being key figures in the series. However,American Primeval’s frontier storyline wouldn’t be complete without the Indigenous people who originally populated the land, with the Shoshone and the Ute filling this role in the series.
American Primevalis one of Netflix’s most exciting new shows of 2025, with it coming from director Peter Berg andThe Revenantwriter Mark L. Smith.The series follows a mother and son who go on the run across the frontier, with them hoping to find a guide who can take them through the dangers of the West. Throughout their journey, Sara, Devin, Isaac, and Two Moons encounter all kinds of threats, such as wild animals, Mormons, fur trappers, bounty hunters, and Indigenous tribes.
American Primeval’s Shoshone Tribe & History Explained
How Accurate Is The Show?
The Shoshone people are the main Indigenous tribe that is featured throughoutAmerican Primeval, with them playing a key role in the show’s story. After the Mormons carry out the Mountain Meadows Massacre, they hand over several captive women to the Shoshone, including Abish Pratt. Although the Shoshone kill the rest of the women, they keep Abish alive, with her learning to live among the Shoshone. Bythe end ofAmerican Primeval, the Shoshone find themselves in an all-out battle against the Mormons, with the Mormons attempting to cover their tracks.
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In real life, the Shoshone tribe is divided into four groups, with them living in Wyoming, southern Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The Shoshone were traditionally found living near the Paiute people, another tribe that is featured inAmerican Primeval. The Shoshone began warring with settlers in Idaho in the 1860s, with them raiding farms in an attempt to protect their home. Many of the conflicts between the Shoshone and the colonists, such as the Bear River Massacre, took place shortly after the Utah War, the time period that is featured inAmerican Primeval.
Was Red Feather A Real Person?
Or Did The Show Make Him Up?
Red Feather is the most prominently featured member of the Shoshone tribe inAmerican Primeval, leading to many viewers wondering if he is a real person. Throughout the series, Red Feather is presented as the tribe’s leader, with him always being on the front line during battles with the Mormons and other groups.American Primeval’s Red Feather is known for wanting to kill ten white men for every one Shoshone who is killed, leading to him being feared among the settlers in the Utah Territory. However, Red Feather’s relationship with his son shows a more tender and loving side of him.
Despite him playing a massive role inAmerican Primeval, it turns out that Red Feather was not a real person. There is no evidence of a Shoshone named Red Feather, or any similar character who led a group of renegade warriors, known as the Wolf Clan inAmerican Primeval. While there have been other Red Feathers throughout history, such as a well-known Cherokee one, none of these match up with thecharacter who is presented inAmerican Primeval.
The Ute People’s History Explained
What Does American Primeval Change?
Another prominent Indigenous tribe featured inAmerican Primevalis the Ute people. Although not as integral to the main story as the Shoshone, the Ute people are important to the development ofthe main characters inAmerican Primeval, with them visiting a Ute camp. Much like the Shoshone tribe, the Ute people were real as well, withAmerican Primevalattempting to meticulously bring the tribe into the world of the series as accurately as possible.
Where Was American Primeval Filmed? All Locations Explained
American Primeval has all kinds of fantastic settings throughout its Western story, and here is what settings the show used to create the frontier.
In real life, the Ute people are located in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada, and Arizona, with them having a lot of overlap with the Shoshone people. The Ute people first made contact with Spanish settlers in the 18th century, but they met European settlers when the Mormons first arrived in their territory in 1847. This means that, by the timeAmerican Primevaltakes place, the Mormons have only been around for 10 years, highlighting just how much conflict there was at the time.
American Primeval
Cast
American Primeval is a Netflix limited series that follows the lives of several men and women in the middle of the expansion of the American West. Social dynamics clash as men and women battle for a piece of the new world against rivals and each other.
