Remembering Cole Brings Plenty: A Family’s Quiet Grief and Enduring

By Staff Writer – Native Voices Network

When the news broke of Cole Brings Plenty’s sudden passing, it sent shockwaves not only through the Indigenous entertainment world, but also deeply within his family. Among those mourning his loss is Tahkyah Brings Plenty, a cousin who shared a close and powerful bond with Cole — one built on family, love, and mutual understanding.

In an emotional interview, Tahkyah opened up about her grief, the impact Cole had on her life, and the deep legacy he leaves behind.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” she began. “One day you’re sending silly texts and making plans for powwows… the next day, it’s just silence. And the silence is deafening.”

Cole wasn’t just a rising actor and model. To his family, he was a grounding force — someone who carried tradition in one hand and chased dreams with the other.

“People saw the actor, the face in magazines,” Tahkyah said. “But what they didn’t see was the cousin who helped aunties set up chairs at ceremony. The uncle who loved the little ones like they were his own. The friend who would talk you through anything.”

For Tahkyah, Cole was more than a relative.

“He was like a brother to me,” she said. “We both knew what it felt like to live between two worlds — Hollywood and home. He carried that with such grace.”

In the wake of his passing, the family continues to process grief and loss in different ways.

“It’s hard,” she admitted. “There’s love, but there’s also tension. Everyone grieves differently. Some want to honor him privately, others more publicly. That can cause friction. But we’re all just trying to hold space for one another.”

Tahkyah acknowledged that speaking out hasn’t been easy.

“Some relatives feel I shouldn’t speak so openly. But sharing Cole’s light with the world is how I cope. If his story can help even one person hold their loved ones closer — then I’ll keep telling it.”

She also offered gratitude to those who stood by Cole during his most difficult times, especially Mercy, a close friend of his from Haskell.

“She supported him, loved him, showed up for him,” Tahkyah said. “That kind of loyalty is rare. We’ll always be thankful for her.”

Tahkyah still finds strength in the last message Cole ever sent her: “Keep shining, cuz.”

“It’s simple,” she said. “But it lives in my heart. I hear his voice when I feel lost. That’s what keeps me going.”

As she looks ahead, she hopes to honor Cole’s legacy by continuing to tell his story — through writing, interviews, and community remembrance.

“He was proud of who he was and where he came from. He deserves to be remembered not just as an actor, but as a proud Lakota and a loving family man.”

The grief remains. But through remembrance, Tahkyah hopes others are reminded of something important:

“Tell your people you love them,” she said. “Hug them tight. Let go of old pain. Life is too short. Cole taught me that — and now I hope I can pass it on.”

This story was written with the assistance of AI editing support.