Aminah Nieves, who plays Teonna Rainwater in 1923, has a theory about how Teonna fits into the wider Yellowstone family tree. But the relationship to present-day character Thomas Rainwater has not been confirmed as official canon in the available coverage.
What Aminah Nieves says about Teonna’s family connection
In a 2025 exclusive interview with People, Nieves discussed her interpretation of Teonna’s place in the Yellowstone family. The question is how Teonna Rainwater, the character she portrays in 1923, may connect to Thomas Rainwater, played by Gil Birmingham in Yellowstone.
The distinction matters: the interview presents Nieves’s theory, not a definitive family-tree announcement. Another entertainment report likewise describes the official connection as unclear. The sources do not establish that Teonna is a particular ancestor of Thomas, so that relationship should not be treated as confirmed canon.
Who is Teonna Rainwater?
Teonna is a young Indigenous woman in 1923, portrayed by Aminah Nieves. The character’s story includes the experience of Indigenous children taken from their families and sent to boarding schools. In a separate TVLine interview, Nieves discussed her hopes for Teonna after season one and her response to viewers confronting that history. That conversation offers context on the actor’s perspective, but it is separate from her 2025 family-tree theory.
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Season 2 finale spoilers: where Teonna’s story leaves her
Spoilers for the season 2 finale of 1923: After escaping the reservation school in season one, Teonna goes on the run and finds her father, Runs His Horse, and her friend Pete Plenty Clouds. By the end of season two, she has been cleared of the murder charges following the deaths of Father Renaud and Marshal Kent, according to People’s interview report.
That resolution gives Teonna’s story a significant endpoint in 1923, but it does not settle her precise genealogical relationship to Thomas Rainwater. Nieves’s interpretation remains a theory rather than a confirmed link.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Yellowstone (2018–2024) : The complete Series (53 Episodes / 5 Seasons) - [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IxJENf3UL._SL160_.jpg)
- Region 1 NTSC
- Widescreen
- 1080p HD
- Dolby Digital
Rank #3
- Genre: TV Drama
- Number of Discs: 4
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 467
- Rating: NR
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