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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 Follow 5th-generation Navajo master weavers, Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete, as they share what the art of weaving means to them and its importance to their culture. Stream ARIZONA ILLUSTRATED: NAVAJO WEAVERS 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.
StoryAmerican Experience: Native American Collection In this collection, explore stories celebrating and honoring the history and lives of Native Americans—throughout history and today.
StoryNative Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer A Native American girl uses basketball as a ticket to college and helping others.
StoryA People's History of Native America This series chronicles the social climate in Native America and history of tribal nations.
StoryHome From School: The Children Of Carlisle Native Americans recover the remains of children who died at an Indian boarding school.
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.
StoryFirst Nations Experience A dedicated digital channel featuring Native American and World Indigenous content. Stream free now.
StorySovereign Innovations Honoring Indigenous innovation with modern insight & culture.
StoryWe Shall Remain A 5-part series on the five indigenous tribes of the Great Basin Region we now call Utah.
StoryNative Horse “Native Horse” looks at the evolution of horses in North America by placing Indigenous Lakota science alongside ground-breaking DNA research.
StoryÖngtupqa Exploring the cultural significance of Grand Canyon, told from an indigenous perspective.
StoryRacing the Rez Navajo and Hopi cross country runners fight for personal and state championship glory.
StoryEmbracing Duality: Modern Indigenous Culture The Kennedy Center explores the impact and evolution of indigenous performing arts cultures.
StoryNative Report An entertaining, informative series that celebrates Native American culture and heritage.
StoryReturn: Reclaiming Foodways For Health & Spirit Food sovereignty movement and Native American women championing the return to traditional food sources.
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.
Tucson weighs renaming Christopher Columbus Park amid push to honor Tohono O’odham leaderTucson weighs renaming Christopher Columbus Park amid push to honor Tohono O’odham leader The public comment period closes on November 25th.
Art exhibit combining Native life, 'Star Wars' heads to Tempe Center for the Arts in 2025Art exhibit combining Native life, 'Star Wars' heads to Tempe Center for the Arts in 2025 The exhibit, previously called "The Force is with Our People," has a whole new name and includes 19 artists from different tribes.
Navajo Nation faces election day bomb threats Navajo Nation faces election day bomb threats Four locations had threats, but no locations had to close, says the Secretary of State.
America's first Native American cabinet secretary says she's righting historical wrongsAmerica's first Native American cabinet secretary says she's righting historical wrongs Deb Haaland says she thinks about her elders and the U.S. government’s historical policy of assimilation every day.
Biden visits Indian Country and apologizes for the 'sin' of a 150-year boarding school policy Biden visits Indian Country and apologizes for the 'sin' of a 150-year boarding school policy It was a moment of both contrition and frustration as the president sought to recognize one of the “most horrific chapters” in the national story.
Navajo leader calls for tribal vice president's resignation amid political upheavalNavajo leader calls for tribal vice president's resignation amid political upheaval The tribe has been mired by political upheaval that began earlier this year when the vice president outlined allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment within the administration.
Native voters could swing ArizonaNative voters could swing Arizona Both parties are ramping up efforts to court Native American voters in the final stretch to Election Day.
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the electionIndigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the election The holiday comes about three weeks before Election Day. Events will be geared toward Native voter mobilization and outreach amid renewed recognition of the power of their votes.
Making Arizona: Tohono O’odham WaterMaking Arizona: Tohono O’odham Water The video presents a short history of land and water on the San Xavier District on the Tohono O’odham nation, highlighting the importance of the collective action taken by tribal members to return farming to the district.
San Carlos Apache asks U.S. Supreme Court to take Oak Flat caseSan Carlos Apache asks U.S. Supreme Court to take Oak Flat case The tribe is appealing the ruling of the Arizona Supreme Court.
Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region: Tribal Sovereignty vs. Nuclear Energy in the Climate CrisisUranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region: Tribal Sovereignty vs. Nuclear Energy in the Climate Crisis Uranium mining and nuclear energy may be affecting Arizona's tribal nations, posing threats to the region's water resources and the environmental and cultural heritage connected to them.
Navajo Nation President stops truck carrying uranium across tribal landsNavajo Nation President stops truck carrying uranium across tribal lands The uranium ore was being transported to Utah, where the only fully-licensed and operating conventional uranium mill in the United States is.
Interior Dept. concludes 3-year probe of Indian boarding schoolsInterior Dept. concludes 3-year probe of Indian boarding schools The report concludes a three-year investigation that saw, for the first time, the federal government accepting responsibility for its role in creating the system, which included more than 400 schools across 37 states.
Federal energy regulators deny permits for a controversial project on the Navajo NationFederal energy regulators deny permits for a controversial project on the Navajo Nation The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it was establishing a new policy about cooperation with Tribes.
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.
Navajo president presses Congress for more time, money, for water projectNavajo president presses Congress for more time, money, for water project The project would deliver 37,767 acre-feet of water annually from the San Juan River basin through 300 miles of pipeline to 43 Navajo chapters, the city of Gallup, New Mexico, as well as the Teepee Junction area of the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
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.
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