William "Spirit" Knifeman is a self-proclaimed warrior who died at The Battle of Little Big Horn.
History[]
Bear's First Vision[]
When Bear was shot repeatedly with a paintball gun, he was knocked unconscious and Spirit appeared to him, telling Bear he was at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He didn't actually fight, but he was there. He was killed when his horse tripped in a hole and fell on him. He told Bear that being a warrior isn't always easy and asked Bear what he and his friends were doing to help their people.[1]
Bear's Second Vision[]
When Bear was knocked to the ground and beat up by the NDN Mafia, he saw Spirit again. Spirit told him he should have run, but Bear misinterprets it that he should fight. Spirit then told Bear to go to the clinic because his nose was messed up.[2]
Coaching Bear and Tornado[]
Spirit appeared to Bear on the day the Rez Dogs were supposed to leave for California. He said he was proud of Bear for leaving the town better than it was, leaving nothing left undone. Spirit later appeared to Bear again and Bear told him they tried to fight the NDN Mafia, but then the tornado came. Spirit said that maybe wasn't what he was talking about.
When the tornado passed by the town without doing any damage, Spirit appeared to Brownie, who was naked in a field, and told him the spirit world had gotten his message, but had to take something in exchange for redirecting the tornado. It was either his clothes or his life. Then he told Brownie he was there to guide him.[3]
Spirit went back to Bear after Elora left Bear behind to go to California with Jackie. He told Bear he needed to start acting like a man and taking responsibility for himself.
Spirit then went to Brownie, who believed he was a holy man because of what he'd done with the tornado. Spirit told him he wasn't, but be refused to believe it.[4]
Spirit watched from the other side of a river as Brownie and Bucky reluctantly worked together to reverse the curse Willie Jack had had put on Jackie. Spirit told Brownie to tell the kids that the ceremony was complete, that they'd ended the curse but the effects would linger in their hearts until they dealt with the guilt. Brownie told the kids the curse was gone, but they needed to stop being shitasses, which Spirit said was close enough.[5]
Bear's Job[]
When Bear started working as a roofer, Spirit told him that the others letting him learn by doing things was the Native way of teaching. He also told Bear he needed to let go of his resentment for Danny.[6]
Mabel's Death[]
Spirit came to Mabel's house when she was dying. He told Bear he was there to take Mabel to her orientation after she passed. He also told Bear he needed to be there for and support Elora as she went through this.[7]
Bear's Journey Home[]
At a bus station in Amarillo, Spirit appeared to Bear in the bathroom and told him he shouldn't get on the bus back home. Bear didn't understand that and said he'd done everything that Spirit asked him to do, but wouldn't do that. Unfortunately, this conversation led to Bear missing the bus. Bear blamed Spirit, but Spirit just said their time together wasn't done, that Bear visiting his dad was a big step, but he had a chance to go on a journey and help others.[8]
Spirit intervened when Bear was confronted by a conquistador on his journey. Bear became angry at Spirit's lack of answers and said he didn't want to talk to him anymore. Spirit said he'd go if that's what Bear really wanted and Bear said he did and they left in opposite directions.[9]
Final Visit with Bear[]
Spirit appeared to Bear one final time when Bear whistled in the woods. He said he was already nearby helping Old Man Fixico, who had recently died. Bear asked him for a teaching, but Spirit said he didn't have anything else to tell Bear. Bear had finally learned that he didn't have to be a leader all the time and it was better to be part of a community that helped one another. Bear told Spirit he'd decided to take a year off, stay in Okern, and figure stuff out.[10]
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
Appearances[]
| Season 1 | |||||
| #01 | "F*ckin' Rez Dogs" | #04 | "What About Your Dad" | #07 | "California Dreamin'" |
| #02 | "NDN Clinic" | #05 | "Come and Get Your Love" | #08 | "Satvrday" |
| #03 | "Uncle Brownie" | #06 | "Hunting" | ||
| Season 2 | |||||
| #01 | "The Curse" | #05 | "Wide Net" | #08 | "This is Where the Plot Thickens" |
| #02 | "Run" | #06 | "Decolonativization" | #09 | "Offerings" |
| #03 | "Roofing" | #07 | "Stay Gold Cheesy Boy" | #10 | "I Still Believe" |
| #04 | "Mabel" | ||||
| Season 3 | |||||
| #01 | "BUSSIN'" | #05 | "House Made of Bongs" | #08 | "Send It" |
| #02 | "Maximus" | #06 | "Frankfurter Sandwich" | #09 | "Elora's Dad" |
| #03 | "Deer Lady" | #07 | "Wahoo!" | #10 | "Dig" |
| #04 | "Friday" | ||||