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Heritage Month
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Native American Heritage Month
Also known as National American Indian Heritage Month or National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November is dedicated to paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Indigenous people throughout the United States.

Celebrate NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
November 1-30
Feature See how cooking connects three Native chefs to their own histories. Stream "alter-NATIVE Kitchen" now.
Resources
Enjoy a special collection of programs, highlights, and resources that celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of Native Americans.

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Programs
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage MonthPBS Hear from Native American and Alaska Native communities and storytellers in this collection of documentaries. Explore More
Education
Native American Heritage CollectionPBS LearningMedia Take a look at Indigenous art, history, and culture as told through the historians, artists, students, and scientists in this featured resource collection. Explore More
Film
Experience Vision Maker Mediavisionmakermedia.org Vision Maker Media’s mission is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories. Explore More
Features
StoryLittle Bird Through this epic journey of connection and self-discovery, Bezhig Little Bird begins to find her lost family and put the pieces of her fragmented past back together.
StoryThe American Buffalo The dramatic story of the American Buffalo's near extinction—and the people who saved it. A film by Ken Burns.
StoryNative America This four-part Native directed series reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world.
StoryHome From School: The Children Of Carlisle Among the many who died at Carlisle Indian Industrial School were three Northern Arapaho boys. Now, more than a century later, tribal members journey from Wyoming to Pennsylvania to help them finally come home.
StoryGrowing Native Learn how Native communities are working toward sustainable food sovereignty and renewable energy sources, and how they are adapting to impacts from climate change.
StoryThe Warrior Tradition The Warrior Tradition tells the astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military.
Stories
Stories about Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples from AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.
Artist Maria ArvayoArtist Maria Arvayo Pascua Yaqui artist draws inspiration from the Sonoran Desert landscape.
Navajo WeaversNavajo Weavers Sisters Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete are 5th-generation master Navajo weavers
Navigating murky waters: how laws and regulations can hinder tribal initiativesNavigating murky waters: how laws and regulations can hinder tribal initiatives In this tapped episode, Katya Mendoza and Paola Rodriguez explore the intersection of preserving tribal heritage, defending precious resources and reforming mining laws.
Hopi leader tells panel that red tape, financial hurdles put aid out of reachHopi leader tells panel that red tape, financial hurdles put aid out of reach The remarks by Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma were part of a Senate Indian Affairs Committee roundtable on challenges tribes are facing.
A generational battle: How a tribe’s concern over uranium mining on ancestral homelands brought Biden to AZA generational battle: How a tribe’s concern over uranium mining on ancestral homelands brought Biden to AZ In this tapped episode, Katya Mendoza and Paola Rodriguez explore the history of the Havasupai people's fight to stop uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.
Navajo SilversmithsNavajo Silversmiths Navajo Silversmith Alex Beeshligaii seeks to preserve his artform by passing Diné traditions and language on to his children.
Working in Mental Health with Felicia JaimezWorking in Mental Health with Felicia Jaimez Providing therapy on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation.
No more silence: Boarding school survivor Anita Yellowhair shares her story, over 60 years laterNo more silence: Boarding school survivor Anita Yellowhair shares her story, over 60 years later Anita Yellowhair, of Arizona, was one of thousands of children taken from their home to one of more than 400 boarding schools in the U.S.
After long fight, tribal water bills get primary OK; still far from finalAfter long fight, tribal water bills get primary OK; still far from final Tribal leaders welcomed the votes, which they called the culmination of hard-fought struggles by their tribes.
Healing through cultureHealing through culture Increasing access to Native American practices to treat mental health
Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona receive $30k grant from Tohono O’odham NationGirl Scouts of Southern Arizona receive $30k grant from Tohono O’odham Nation The money will be used to expand Girl Scout programs into low income and Native American communities.
Dept. of Interior finishes removal of Native American racial slurDept. of Interior finishes removal of Native American racial slur Nearly 650 locations were renamed across the United States including dozens in Arizona,
How teens brought a skate park to their Native American reservationHow teens brought a skate park to their Native American reservation The village of Tewa, Ariz., recently ramped up its skating scene.
Indigenous students to get full University of Arizona tuitionIndigenous students to get full University of Arizona tuition University will pay tuition and fees for all who qualify.
State health insurance program wrongly ended coverage for some Native childrenState health insurance program wrongly ended coverage for some Native children AHCCCS said it is putting new procedures in place following auditor general's report.
Episode 323: Measuring pollutants that are contaminating indigenous communitiesEpisode 323: Measuring pollutants that are contaminating indigenous communities People living in villages far from the beaten path are experiencing adverse health effects from environmental pollution.
White House report calls for stronger Native American voting protectionsWhite House report calls for stronger Native American voting protections Native Americans face threats, mockery, language barriers, and outright disrespect at the polls, the White House report concludes.
For legal experts and activists, an unexpected win for Indigenous religious freedomsFor legal experts and activists, an unexpected win for Indigenous religious freedoms Amber Ortega was facing charges for refusing to leave an area where workers were building the border wall. Her acquittal was hailed as an unexpected win for Native American religious freedoms.
Navajo MustangNavajo Mustang In Navajo (Diné) culture, the horse is central to life and an understanding of the world.
We Are the Water Missing HomeWe Are the Water Missing Home Indigenous communities fight against border wall construction near a sacred Sonoran Desert spring. (10:06)
‘A safe haven, a home’‘A safe haven, a home’ O’odham communities fight against border wall construction at Quitobaquito Springs.
Deidra Peaches, FilmmakerDeidra Peaches, Filmmaker Deidra Peaches' journey in filmmaking has taken her to Alaska, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19. (05:52)
The Bahidaj HarvestThe Bahidaj Harvest For thousands of years the Tohono O’odham have lived in the Sonoran Desert and for much of that time harvested the Bahidaj, the fruit of the Saguaro.
Pieces of TimePieces of Time The Arizona State Museum’s photographic collection is a powerful window in time for the museum’s staff and Arizona’s Indigenous people.
Two Spirit PowwowTwo Spirit Powwow Visit the 2nd Annual Two Spirit Powwow where the Native LGBTQ community is embraced and celebrated.
'Horse healers' give Pascua Yaqui kids a therapy option'Horse healers' give Pascua Yaqui kids a therapy option The Kava'i Hitevi program at Tortuga Ranch allows youths and their families to share their feelings through equine therapy.
Pascua Yaqui Festival of the ArtsPascua Yaqui Festival of the Arts A unique celebration to showcase Native American artists that has evolved into an event for the whole family to enjoy.
The Colorado Plateau The Colorado Plateau A Native-led foundation works to protect sacred places, Native languages, and sustainable, community-based agriculture.
Change MakersChange Makers The challenges faced by Native entrepreneurs amid a time of major economic transition for Navajo and Hopi tribes.
Indigenous Peoples DayIndigenous Peoples Day The Tucson community comes together to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
Pride on the NationPride on the Nation Celebrating the LGBTQ and Two Spirit community on the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Stella TuckerStella Tucker Remembering the Tohono O'odham elder and face of the annual saguaro fruit harvest in southern Arizona
The Red RoadThe Red Road Celebrating resilience and sobriety in the Native American communities of southern Arizona.
The Smell of RainThe Smell of Rain The monsoon brings much needed rain to southern Arizona. For one member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, the rains are a sacred connection to the land and her ancestors.
Art Life - Terrol Dew JohnsonArt Life - Terrol Dew Johnson Terrol Dew Johnson is a complex figure living in multiple intersecting realities.
The Navajo BlanketThe Navajo Blanket What ever happened to the infamous Navajo Blanket, an Antiques Roadshow fan-favorite.
One Pot at a TimeOne Pot at a Time Piecing together the past through ancient Native American pottery
Gathering GlassGathering Glass In the Tohono O'odham Nation, two men are turning recycling into an act of redemption.
Native RunnerNative Runner For this champion, running is part of his culture.
Native HealingNative Healing Traditional American Indian ceremonies and practices are being used in mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities.
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