In a 1917 interview published in the Mack Sennett Weekly Provost states that she was born to Cheyenne parents who fled G. A. Custer's Army during the Battle of the Little Bighorn, an event that took place when she was eight years old.

Arbuckle pursues a white woman in town, played by his real-life wife Minta Durfee, but is driven back when He-Haw discovers his disloyalty.

In 1920 Minnie worked with director James Cruze on Food for Scandal, the cinematic version of Paul Kester's play A Picture of Rare Delight.

On a crowded street car, the woman intentionally took up available space in order to prevent Provost from sitting nearby.

Motion Picture Magazine recounts a chance encounter between Provost and actor Bertram Grassby, who commented on the actress' persona:[12] During the conversation, the name of Minnie, a fat, old Indian woman who has almost become a moving picture institution, was mentioned and he commented laughingly on her way of always saying and doing the unexpected.The encounter involved Grassby tipping his hat toward Provost, which prompted her to question the meaning of the act.