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 Ears
Extended Trailer
At its heart, it’s a battle for homeland and sovereignty.
Nov 23 | Home From School: The Children of Carlisle
Independent Lens
Trailer | 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 America
From Caves to Cosmos
Ancient clues and modern science answer the question: who were America’s First Peoples?
Independent Lens
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World
The First Twenty
The First Twenty: Ma’s House
Shinnecock Indian Nation photographer Jeremy Dennis explores Native American art.
American Masters
N. 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 Story
The Art of Home: A Wind River Story
Two indigenous artists create new works and define what it means to be a "native artist."
American Masters
Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer and Writer
Zitkála-Šá co-composed and wrote the libretto for the first American Indian opera.
Indie Alaska
Pamyua, Alaska's most famous Inuit band | INDIE ALASKA
Pamyua is the Inuit soul music group from Alaska wow-ing audiences worldwide.
Sound Field
What Does Electric Pow Wow Sound Like?
A Tribe Called Red combine Native American drum circle sounds with electronic music.
The Warrior Tradition
The Warrior Tradition
The largely-untold story of Native Americans who served in the United States military.
PBS Short Film Festival
Without a Whisper
The untold untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists.
America ReFramed
My Louisiana Love
A young woman's quest to find a place in her Native American community in Louisiana.
If Cities Could Dance
Albuquerque's Native American Hip-Hop Dance
Albuquerque’s hip-hop & freestyle dance scene is influenced by various Indigenous tribes
Thousand Voices
A Thousand Voices
The universal story of New Mexico’s Native American women.
Independent Lens
Dawnland
Watch this film up to November 30th.
Independent Lens
alter-NATIVE: Kitchen, Episode 1
How This Navajo Chef Brings His Native Food Traditions Back
The People's Protectors
The People's Protectors
Native American veterans reflect on their experiences during the divisive Vietnam War.
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