November offers the opportunity for a month-long celebration of Native traditions, cultures, languages and stories. Explore how Native American heritage brings strength and connection to communities with these new films and streaming favorites.
Native Americans
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month • On-demand
Explore Native American history, culture and life today with these programs from PBS.
Twice Colonized: Inuit activist Aaju Peter embarks on a personal journey for Indigenous people’s rights. (Available through 12/13/24)
The Legacy of the Land: Legends and legacies meet where the Great Kanawha and the mighty Ohio rivers merge, on the land where history & agriculture combine in one of the nations oldest and most storied farming regions. Narrated by Chris Sarrandon
Ghosts: “Ghosts” tells the story of three Kiowa boys’ daring escape from a government boarding school in Anadarko, Oklahoma in 1891, to attend a ghost dance ceremony at a distant Kiowa encampment. After being whipped for insubordination and feeling defeated, Charles, a rebellious teenager, plans to escape with an unlikely group of partners. (Available through 7/14/26)
A People’s History of Native America with Tai’ Leclaire: This digital miniseries explores the current social climate in Native America, diving deep into the history of tribal nations and the external factors that have shaped their contemporary circumstances. Comedian and actor Tai’ Leclaire and several topical experts will guide A People’s History of Native America, chronicling the accurate history with humor and brevity.
Episode 8: Who Can Identify As Native American? What’s the deal with “Pretendians”? Tai Leclare and experts dissect what it really means to be Native—whether it’s blood, initiation, or just a claim. This episode digs deep into the complexities of identity and last names in Indian Country. See More Episodes on the Series Page
Molly of Denali | Truth, Trust, and Harvest/Thanks-For-Giving | PBS KIDS
Play games and watch full episodes and podcasts of Molly of Denali on https://pbskids.org/molly
Molly, Trini, and Vera are excited to plant the community garden with Auntie Midge’s Wampanoag friend, Gertie, but the girls keep quarreling and can’t get anything done! They learn about the Three Sisters story from the Haudenosaunee, People of the Longhouse about working together to find success. /After discovering that Grandpa Nat doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, Molly, Tooey, and Trini learn about the history of the holiday. Motivated to help, the kids work to create a feast that honors the people who came before them.
Go to Molly of Denali: Videos, Games, Podcast & Activities for more fun.
Reclaiming our Roots | Ideas for All : Roadtrip Nation On-Demand
Meet the roadtrippers: Gabe, Jackie, and Tomi—three young people interested in health equity. Then, follow along as they talk to scientific experts and Indigenous leaders in the performance, education and culinary fields, who are taking inspiration from nature to help create equitable ecosystems within their own communities.
Homecoming: The American Buffalo: On-Demand
Homecoming follows Jason Baldes, an Eastern Shoshone and a member of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, as he leads historic transfers of bison to Indigenous communities which will maintain their herds to supply a healthy food source and cultural touchstone for their tribal citizens. The film explores what living among the bison once again means for Native people—today and for future generations. Explore more about The American Buffalo film – the early history and special relationship between native American people and the buffalo; its relation to the larger grassland and prairie ecosystems; and Tribal contributions to restoration of the buffalo today. (On-demand through 10/15/30)
The American Buffalo: A Story of Resilience Discussion On-Demand
Judy Woodruff moderates a one-hour conversation with filmmaker Ken Burns and three experts: Jason Baldes, Rosalyn LaPier, and Dan Flores. The discussion explores lessons from the The American Buffalo film – the early history and special relationship between native American people and the buffalo; its relation to the larger grassland and prairie ecosystems; and Tribal contributions to restoration of the buffalo today. (On-demand through 11/30/29)
Native America PBS Playlist
Season 2 of Native America. is a groundbreaking portrait of contemporary Indian Country. This four-part Native directed series reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world. Smashing stereotypes, it follows the brilliant engineers, bold politicians, and cutting-edge artists who draw upon Native tradition to build a better 21st century.
Resources from the program include:
The Native America PBS Film Website
Native America PBS Player Series
Explore an Interactive to Listen to Native American Voices
Explore the PBS LearningMedia Collection
Also See: Native America in the Classroom
Our Sponsors
The American Buffalo: Into the Storm • WXXI-TV
This Ken Burns film traces the near demise – and ultimate return – of the U.S. national mammal while examining the species’ connection to indigenous communities and the land.
The American Buffalo: Into the Storm, part two of two, airs Friday, January 12 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
For untold generations, America’s national mammal sustained the lives of Native people, whose cultures were intertwined with the animal. Newcomers to the continent bring a different view of the natural world, and the buffalo are driven to the brink of extinction.
Illustration “The Last of the Buffalo” by Albert Bierstadt, 1888 l Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.