November marks Native American Heritage Month, a celebration of the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.
During November, Arkansas PBS is joining the celebration by highlighting programming which focuses on Native Americans.
Starting Nov. 2, Arkansas PBS will feature NOVA’s “Nazca Desert Mystery.” “Nazca Desert Mystery” explores the Nazca lines — a dense network of lines, geometric shapes and animal figures — which are housed across 200 square miles of Peruvian desert. The lines were discovered in the 1920s and, ever since, questions have been raised about what these lines are for and how they were created. Discover the answers when the episodes airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 2.
Then, starting Nov. 11, “Native America” will begin airing with back-to-back episodes, starting at 1:30 p.m. The fun begins with the first episode, “From Caves to Cosmos,” which discusses the question, "Who were America’s first people?" Teeming with evidence from Amazonian cave paintings, Mexican burial chambers and waves off California’s coast, the answer becomes more clear.
Following is the second episode of “Native America” called “Nature to Nations,” which will air Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m. This episode answers the question, “What lies behind these diverse and sophisticated governments?” by exploring the rise of great American nations from monarchies to democracies.
Parts three and four of “Native America” air the following Friday, Nov. 18, at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The third episode, titled “Cities of the Sky,” explores the creation of some of the ancient world’s largest and most impressive cities which aligned to and were inspired by the movement of the sun, moon and stars.
The fourth episode of “Native America,” “New World Rising,” examines Native Americans’ efforts to continue cultural traditions in the face of conquest and warfare. Stories within the hour-long episode about a little-known empire in the American West, detailed manuscripts written and painted by Aztec writers and artists, as well as a Peruvian village that built a suspension bridge from grass to connect the empire, are featured.
The monthly content celebrating Native American Heritage Month continues Monday, Nov. 21 with an airing of “The Warrior Tradition.” “The Warrior Tradition” tells several heartbreaking and inspiring stories about Native Americans who served in the U.S. military. “The Warrior Tradition” airs at 9 p.m.
The following evening, experience the premiere of American Masters’ "Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On.” Watch the rise of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from New York’s Greenwich Village through her six-decade career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist. The documentary premieres Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
For on-demand viewing, Arkansas PBS has free programming viewable at the Arkansas PBS YouTube channel.
“Arkansas’s First People” is a five-part series featuring unique perspectives on American Indian cultural legacy, archaeological data and interviews with modern tribal representatives of those who had and still have an impact on Arkansas.
“It Started Here: Early Arkansas and The Louisiana Purchase” chronicles the people and land of Arkansas, between the signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, leading up to Arkansas statehood in 1836.
“Rise and Shine” Field Trip: “Native Medicine in Arkansas at the Museum of Native American History” takes a look at how the ancient peoples of Arkansas often used plants and other things from the world around them as medicine when they didn’t feel well, as well as other ancient practices with a fun tour of the Museum of Native American History!
TUNE IN:
“NOVA: Nazca Desert Mystery” airs Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m.
“Native America” airs Friday, Nov. 11, at 1: 30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and Friday, Nov. 18, at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“The Warrior Tradition” airs Monday, Nov. 21, at 9 p.m.
“American Masters’ Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On” premieres Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m.