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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

Battle Over Bears EarsExtended Trailer

At its heart, it’s a battle for homeland and sovereignty.

Nov 23 | Home From School: The Children of Carlisle

Independent LensTrailer | 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

Native AmericaFrom Caves to Cosmos

Ancient clues and modern science answer the question: who were America’s First Peoples?

Independent LensRUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World
The First TwentyThe First Twenty: Ma’s House

Shinnecock Indian Nation photographer Jeremy Dennis explores Native American art.

American MastersN. Scott Momaday: Words From a Bear

Delve into the enigmatic life of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet N. Scott Momaday

The Art of Home: A Wind River StoryThe Art of Home: A Wind River Story

Two indigenous artists create new works and define what it means to be a "native artist."

American MastersZitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and Writer

Zitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian opera.

Indie AlaskaPamyua, Alaska's most famous Inuit band | INDIE ALASKA

Pamyua is the Inuit soul music group from Alaska wow-ing audiences worldwide.

Sound FieldWhat Does Electric Pow Wow Sound Like?

A Tribe Called Red combine Native American drum circle sounds with electronic music.

The Warrior TraditionThe Warrior Tradition

The largely-untold story of Native Americans who served in the United States military.

PBS Short Film FestivalWithout a Whisper

The untold untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists.

America ReFramedMy Louisiana Love

A young woman's quest to find a place in her Native American community in Louisiana.

If Cities Could DanceAlbuquerque's Native American Hip-Hop Dance

Albuquerque’s hip-hop & freestyle dance scene is influenced by various Indigenous tribes

Thousand VoicesA Thousand Voices

The universal story of New Mexico’s Native American women.

Independent LensDawnland

Watch this film up to November 30th.

Independent Lensalter-NATIVE: Kitchen, Episode 1

How This Navajo Chef Brings His Native Food Traditions Back

The People's ProtectorsThe People's Protectors

Native American veterans reflect on their experiences during the divisive Vietnam War.

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