Celebrate Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month 2021
November 1, 2021
By Beatrice Alvarez
November is Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The celebration of Indigenous cultures began as a week-long celebration in 1986, when President Reagan proclaimed the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week." Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities.
Learn more about the diverse experiences and artistry of Native Americans and Alaska Natives with this collection of films. You can stream these films and more on PBS.org or on the PBS Video app.
Premiering in November
Nov 1 | Battle Over Bears Ears
At its heart, it’s a battle for homeland and sovereignty.
Nov 23 | Home From School: The Children of Carlisle
Native Americans recover the remains of children who died at an Indian boarding school.
Also streaming this month
Ancient clues and modern science answer the question: who were America’s First Peoples?
Shinnecock Indian Nation photographer Jeremy Dennis explores Native American art.
Delve into the enigmatic life of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet N. Scott Momaday
Two indigenous artists create new works and define what it means to be a "native artist."
Zitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian opera.
Pamyua is the Inuit soul music group from Alaska wow-ing audiences worldwide.
A Tribe Called Red combine Native American drum circle sounds with electronic music.
The largely-untold story of Native Americans who served in the United States military.
The untold untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists.
A young woman's quest to find a place in her Native American community in Louisiana.
Albuquerque’s hip-hop & freestyle dance scene is influenced by various Indigenous tribes
The universal story of New Mexico’s Native American women.
Watch this film up to November 30th.
How This Navajo Chef Brings His Native Food Traditions Back
Native American veterans reflect on their experiences during the divisive Vietnam War.
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