30 Essential Cast Members of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"

1. Aidan Quinn as Brigadier General George Crook

Quinn portrays the sympathetic and principled Brigadier General George Crook, who clashes with the US government over its treatment of Native Americans.

2. Adam Beach as Chief Sitting Bull

Beach delivers a powerful performance as the enigmatic and spiritual leader of the Lakota Sioux, who leads the resistance against the US military.

3. Anna Paquin as Elaine Goodale

Paquin plays Elaine Goodale, a young schoolteacher who witnesses the horrors of the Wounded Knee massacre firsthand.

4. August Schellenberg as Chief Red Cloud

Schellenberg embodies the dignity and wisdom of Chief Red Cloud, another influential Lakota leader who opposes the US government's expansionist policies.

5. Benjamin Bratt as Chief Crazy Horse

Bratt portrays the legendary warrior and military strategist, Chief Crazy Horse, who leads his people against the US cavalry.

6. Bill Pullman as Senator Henry Dawes

Pullman portrays the controversial Senator Henry Dawes, who is instrumental in drafting the Dawes Act, which aimed to assimilate Native Americans into white society.

7. Brad Dourif as Colonel Samuel Whitside

Dourif plays the ruthless and vengeful Colonel Samuel Whitside, who leads the US military forces at Wounded Knee.

8. Chris Bauer as Captain James Cook

Bauer portrays Captain James Cook, a compassionate soldier who becomes disillusioned with the US government's treatment of Native Americans.

9. Cody Lightning as Chief American Horse

Lightning portrays Chief American Horse, a Lakota leader who initially collaborates with the US government but later joins the resistance.

10. David Strathairn as Father John O'Rourke

Strathairn plays Father John O'Rourke, a Catholic priest who witnesses the Wounded Knee massacre and advocates for Native American rights.

11. Derek Jacobi as General William Tecumseh Sherman

Jacobi embodies the controversial General William Tecumseh Sherman, who ordered the destruction of Native American villages during the Civil War.

12. Eric Schweig as General Orlando Howard

Schweig portrays General Orlando Howard, a pacifist officer who tries to mediate between the US government and Native Americans.

13. Gary Farmer as Chief Knocks Bow

Farmer portrays Chief Knocks Bow, a Hunkpapa Sioux leader who fights for his people's rights.

14. George R. Robertson as Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz

Robertson plays Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz, a German immigrant who advocates for Native American reform.

15. Graham Greene as Chief Little Big Man

Greene plays Chief Little Big Man, a Cheyenne leader who survives the Wounded Knee massacre and becomes a vocal advocate for Native American rights.

16. James Cromwell as Henry Beston

Cromwell plays Henry Beston, a wealthy landowner who befriends Chief Sitting Bull and advocates for Native American rights.

17. Jimmy Herman as Chief Black Elk

Herman portrays Chief Black Elk, a heilige man of the Oglala Lakota who prophesies the Wounded Knee massacre.

18. John Hawkes as Lieutenant Edward Casey

Hawkes plays Lieutenant Edward Casey, a young soldier who is troubled by the US government's treatment of Native Americans.

19. Joseph Cross as Philip Wells

Cross portrays Philip Wells, a young journalist who reports on the Wounded Knee massacre for the New York Times.

20. Larry Sellers as Chief Flying Hawk

Sellers plays Chief Flying Hawk, a Minneconjou Lakota leader who tries to negotiate with the US government.

21. Meat Loaf as Chief Big Foot

Meat Loaf embodies Chief Big Foot, a Lakota leader who leads his followers into a confrontation with the US military at Wounded Knee.

22. Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse as Chief Yellow Hair

Chasing His Horse portrays Chief Yellow Hair, a Brulé Lakota leader who fights against the US government.

23. Nick Nolte as Father Louis Lompret

Nolte plays Father Louis Lompret, a Catholic priest who befriends Chief Standing Bear and helps him fight for the rights of the Ponca tribe.

24. Noah Emmerich as President Grover Cleveland

Emmerich portrays President Grover Cleveland, who presides over the Wounded Knee massacre and is criticized for his handling of Native American affairs.

25. Peter Sarsgaard as James McLaughlin

Sarsgaard plays James McLaughlin, a US Indian agent who is involved in the negotiations leading up to the Wounded Knee massacre.

26. Rainn Wilson as James Mooney

Wilson portrays James Mooney, an anthropologist who studies Native American culture and advocates for their rights.

27. Roger Bourget as Chief One Stab

Bourget plays Chief One Stab, a chief with whom Major Sumner holds a meeting before the massacre.

28. Saginaw Grant as Chief Plenty Coups

Grant plays Chief Plenty Coups, a Crow leader who represents Native Americans at the Chicago World's Fair.

29. Wes Studi as Chief Red Cloud

Studi plays Chief Red Cloud, a Lakota leader who is a key figure in the resistance against the US government.

30. Zahn McClarnon as Chief Hollow Horn Bear

McClarnon portrays Chief Hollow Horn Bear, a Lakota leader who is killed at Wounded Knee.