Red Wing (actress)

Red Wing (born Lillian St. Cyr, February 9, 1884 – March 13, 1974) was a Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Native American actress of the silent film era. She is considered one of the first Native American actresses to achieve widespread recognition and critical acclaim.

Her early life was spent on the Winnebago Reservation in Nebraska. She began her acting career in the early 1910s, appearing in Westerns and dramas that often depicted Native American life. Red Wing was frequently cast in roles that portrayed her as a "noble savage" or a romanticized figure of Native American culture, reflecting the prevailing stereotypes of the time. Despite these limitations, her performances were often praised for their authenticity and emotional depth.

Some of her notable film appearances include The Squaw Man (1914), The Silent Enemy (1930), and Ramona (1910, 1928 re-release). She also worked for the Thanhouser Company, appearing in several of their short films. While many of her early films are now lost, her impact on the representation of Native Americans in early cinema is significant.

Red Wing's career declined with the advent of sound film, and she eventually left the film industry. She spent her later years advocating for Native American rights and preserving Native American culture. Her legacy as a pioneering actress and cultural figure endures, reminding us of the complex and often misrepresented history of Native Americans in Hollywood.